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LIBRARY of CONGRESS 

Two Copies Beceived 

APR 21 1904 

Copyright Entry 

CLASS o- XXc. No. 

?%-^^^ 
COPY B 



\ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 190J, by 

DR. S. A. RICHMOND, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

In presenting this book on divine healing to the pubHc, the 
author has no apologies to make ; believing that it will meet with 
the hearty approval and support of everyone who peruses its con- 
tents. It is the first and only book of its kind ever published, and 
is indeed a book of revelations from start to finish. It is the key 
to the scriptures and unlocks the portals containing the secrets of 
divine healing, and reveals them unto man. When Christ bestowed 
power upon His disciples to preach the gospel, He also bestowed 
upon them the power to. heal the sick. And He said unto them, 
'*Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, 
and these signs shall follow them that believe : In My name shall 
they cast out devils, and they shall lay hands on the sick and they 
shall recover." 

We have our Savior's example. We are told that He "is the 
way, the truth and the life ; He went over Palestine and Judea, 
preaching the gospel and healing the sick. What He did He said we 
should do,and we are doing. His command to His disciples was to go 
into all the world and preach this gospel that He had been teaching 
them, and these signs should follow those who believed. Mind 
you, the signs were not to follow the preacher, but the command 
was to go and teach the gospel and preach it, and "these signs shall 
follow those who believe" your preaching. What were these signs ? 
Among other things, they should drink deadly poison and it should 
not hurt them ; they should handle reptiles and nothing could 
harm them ; they should lay their hands on the sick and they should 
recover. In the Bible this is the only definition given of a believer, 
how a believer should be known. He who believes, has and must 
have that power. The signs must follow. They had the power 
then, and according to the immutable and unchangeable laws of 
God Almighty there never was a change ; those who believed then 
had the signs following, and those who believe today have the 
signs and can heal the sick. 

The evangelists tell us that Jesus touched the leper with His 
own finger ; that He anointed the eyes of the blind ; and that in 
cases where He was asked to speak the word only at a distance, 
He did not usually comply, but went Himself to the sick bed and 
there personally wrought the cure. A lesson to us. If we would 
do good, do it ourselves. Give alms with our own hand. A kind 
look or word will enhance the value of the gift. Our Lord's mode 



6 DITiy E H EALIXG. 

of doing good sets forth His incessant activity. He did not onl}' 
the good which came close to hand, but He went about on His 
errand of mercy and of practicing divine heaUng, and throughout 
the whole land of Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet 
which was not gladdened by the sight of Him. By the Master's 
final words to His disciples the obligation is laid upon every 
Christian to heal the sick and to be a soul- winner. To be a soul- 
winner is the happiest thing in the world. W'ith every soul you 
bring to Christ you get a new heaven upon earth. But who can 
conceive the bliss which awaits us above? Oh, how sweet is that 
sentence, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!" Do you know 
what the joy of Christ is over a saved sinner ? This is the very joy 
which we are to possess in heaven. Yes, when He mounts the 
throne, you shall mount with Him. When the heavens ring with 
"well done, well done," you shall partake in the reward. You have 
toiled with Him. You have suffered with Him. You shall now 
reign with Him. You have sown with Him. You shall reap with 
Him. Your face was covered with sweat like His and your soul 
was grieved for the sins of men as His soul was. Now shall your 
face be bright with heaven's splendor, as is His countenance. And 
now shall your soul be filled with beautiful joy, even as His soul is. 
History teaches us that the ministers of the gospel practiced this 
service of divine healing for two or three centuries after Christ's 
ascension. Either from unbelief or some other cause unknown to 
us, the practice was abandoned and became obsolete and has prac- 
tically so remained until the dawning of a new century. It is now 
again being revealed to man. These revelations the author has re- 
vealed to the world in his wonderful book of revelations on divine 
healing, and he sends this consecrated book out into the world 
with the humble prayer that it may prove a blessing to all who 
may read its contents. The main object of the author is to heal 
the sick, and reclaim the infidel and sinner and point them the 
way to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. 
May it be the means of encouraging great multitudes of sin-sick 
souls to press through the throng of difficulties, doubts, and fears 
and touch the hem of the Savior's garment and be made perfectly 
whole. This is the prayer of your humble servant. 
. I remain, vours trulv, 

S. A. RICHMOND, 

The People's Humble Servant in Christ Jesus, 

Hot Springs, Ark. 



CREDIT TO WHOM CREDIT IS DUE. 

With a grateful heart I return thanks to the following authors 
whose names I will append, from whose books I have been per- 
mitted to gather much of the information and material for my book 
concerning our Savior and His wonderful works and miracles per- 
formed while here on earth. Among whom is first the immortal 
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who was a ripe scholar 
in Jesus' college, as his life and works will verify. Another was 
the late C. H. Spurgeon, one of the most famous preachers of 
modern times. He was also a ripe scholar in Jesus' college. I got 
permission from the American Tract Society of New York city to 
gather and cull information from their publications of Spurgeon's 
works. I also received permission from Fleming H. Revell Com- 
pany of New York city to gather and cull information from their 
publications of C. H. Spurgeon's works. The following are other 
authors from whom I received permission to gather and cull in- 
formation from their books : 

J. W. Byers, O. C. Sabim, J. B. Wilson, Gustave Dore. 











PUBLISHER'S NOTICE 


















THIS book is divided into two 
parts: The first part treats of 
health without drugs, divine heal- 
ing, mind and faith cure, all by 
the power of God Almighty; the 
second part gives an illustrated 
graphic history of the life of our 
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, 
biographical sketch and Biblical 
history of His teachings and 
wonderful miracles performed 
while here on earth. 


1 









DEDICATION. 

This book Is reverently dedicated 

unto Him that loved us 

and washed us from our sins 

in His own blood, 

and healed our diseases, and hath 

made us kings and priests unto 

God and Our Father. 

To Him be glory and dominion 

forever and ever. Amen. 



Oh, how sweet to view the flowing of His soul-redeeming blood, 

with divine assurance, knowing that He 

nnade my peace with God. 



CONTKNXS. 



PART I. 

Page 

Our Redemption Right 17 

Divine Healing 2H, 157 

How Long Does It Take to Effect a Cure? 27 

Strong in Faith 28 

Shall I Discharge My Doctor? 35 

Esculapius and the Pill Bag 39 

The Magic of Touch 55 

God's Table 71 

Health Without Drugs 96 

Attending J esus ' College 107 

Absent Treatment 112 

The Sacred Fountain 135 

Divine Healing in Prophecy 146 

God Answers Prayers 159 

Whether is Easier 164 

Humble Thyself. 186 

Conversion and Healing 197 

The Divine Law of Redemption 201 

How to Come to Him for Healing 208 

Have Faith in God 217 

His Resurrection, Will and Promise 228 

An Invalid for Over Thirty Years 232 

The Power of Healing in God's People 247 

The Gifts of Healing 248 

Questions Answered 254 

Does Sickness Come from God? 259 

Summarized Questions and Answers on Divine Healing 263 



PART II. 

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ 279 

The Preaching and Baptism of Saint John 293 

The Baptism of Jesus 297 

Jesus Was Tempted in the Wilderness 301 

Jesus Preaching His First Sermon 302 

The Sermon on the Mount 307 

The Ordaining of the Twelve Apostles 309 



12 DIYiyE HEALIXG. 

Christ's Entry into Jerusalem 313 

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria 317 

A Woman Anointeth the Feet of Jesus 321 

Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me 325 

Jesus Stilling the Tempest , 331 

St. Peter Walks on the Sea 335 

I Am the Good Shepherd 339 

Come Unto Me 349 

The Trees of the Lord Are Full of Sap 355 

I Am the Vine; Ye Are the Branches 361 

What Think Ye of Christ? 370 

The Prodigal Son 373 

I Am the Bread of Life 380 

If Thou Believest With All Thine Heart 382 

The Tongue and Its Evils 386 

The Transfiguration 393 

And Yet There Is Room 401 

The Raising of Lazarus 409 

You Should Be Like Jesus 412 

Christ Instituteth His Holy Supper 415 

The Lord's Supper — ^Judas Dipping His Hand in the Dish 418 

My Soul Is Exceeding Sorrowful L'nto Death 423 

The Agony in the Garden 427 

Betrayest Thou the Son of Man With a Kiss? 431 

Peter's Denial 437 

Christ Is Scourged 443 

Put Upon His Head a Crown of Thorns 447 

Behold the Man 451 

On Him They Laid the Cross, That He Might Bear It After Jesus 457 

They Gave Him a Procession of Honor 461 

The First Nail Driven 465 

A Lesson on the Crucifixion 471 

His Dying Cry 475 

The Earthquake 479 

The Precious Blood of Christ 480 

Easter Day, the Resurrection 483 

Mary Magdalene at the Tomb 491 

The Lord's Command Before the Ascension 499 

The Day of Pentecost 503 

What Is the Badge of Your Service ? 507 

The Churches of Today 512 

Arise Ye, and Depart 517 

Born Again 519 

Saul Going Towards Damascus - 527 

Eternity! Eternity! Then What? 531 

The Lord Controls the Universe 553 

Let God Be True 554 

And I Looked, and, Lo, a Lamb Stood on the Mount Zion..... 557 



LIST OK ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Page 

Frontispiece, Dr. S. A. Richmond 2 

A Patient Consulting Dr. S. A. Richmond 21 

Dr. S. A. Richmond in the Act of Treating a Patient 25 

A Nut to Crack 29 

We Are in the Same Boat 33 

Esculapius and the Pill Bag 37 

Healing of Simon's W^ife's Mother 41 

The Magic Touch 53 

' ' Thou Preparest a Table Before Me " 69 

The Tree of Life 73 

The Dumb Man Possessed of a Devil Healed at Capernaum 79 

Healing of the Blind , 85 

In the Villages the Sick Were Brought Unto Him 93 

The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate 99 

Attending J esus ' College. 105 

The Good Samaritan 109 

The Palsied Man Let Down Through the Roof 113 

The Demoniac Boy at the Foot of Mt. Tabor 121 

The Sacred Fountain 133 

Jesus Went About All the Cities, Healing the Sick 139 

Dr. Richmond Writing His Book 155 

" Young Man, I Say Unto Thee, Arise " ... 167 

All the City Was Gathered Together 183 

Jesus Healeth Great Muhitudes 187 

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ 277 

The Magi on Their Journey... 283 

The Flight Into Egypt 287 

Saint John Preaching , 291 

The Baptism of J esus 295 

Jesus Was Tempted in the Wilderness 299 

The Sermon on the Mount 305 

Christ's Entry Into Jerusalem 311 

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria 315 

A Woman Anointeth the Feet of Jesus 319 

" Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me " 323 

Jesus Stilling the Tempest 329 

Saint Peter Walks on the Sea 333 

" I Am the Good Shepherd " 337 

"If Any Man Hear My Voice and Open the Door, I Will Come in to Him" 341 



14 DIVIX E H E ALIX G . 

" Come Unto Me" 347 

" The Trees of the Lord Are Full of Sap " 353 

" I Am the Vine, and Ye Are the Branches " 359 

" Launch Out Into the Deep, and Let Down Your Nets for a Draught "... 363 
"A Certain Beggar Named Lazarus, Which Was Laid at His Gate, Full 

of Sores " 367 

The Prodigal Son 371 

"And Knew Not Until the Flood Came and Took Them All Away. So 

Also Shall the Coming of the Son of Man Be " 377 

Mary at the Feet of Jesus 383 

The Transfiguration 391 

"A Certain ]\Ian Made a Great Supper" 399 

The Raising of Lazarus 407 

Christ Instituteth His Holy Supper 413 

" My Soul Is Exceeding Sorrowful Unto Death " 421 

The Agony in the Garden 425 

" Betrayest Thou the Son of Man With a Kiss?" 429 

Peter's Denial 435 

Christ Is Scourged 441 

" Put Upon His Head a Crown of Thorns " 445 

"Behold the Man" 449 

" On Him They Laid the Cross, That He Might Bear It After Jesus "... 455 

They Gave Him a Procession of Honor 459 

The First Nail Driven 463 

A Lesson of the Crucifixion 469 

His Dying Cry 473 

The Earthquake 477 

Easter Day, the Resurrection 481 

Mary at the Tomb 489 

Christ and the Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus 493 

The Ascension 497 

The Day of Pentecost 501 

Crowned With Thorns 505 

Beneath Thy Cross I Lay Me Down 509 

Death on the Pale Horse ... 515 

Angels Swinging Their Censers 521 

Saul Going Towards Damascus 525 

Dr. Richmond's Vision of Eternity 529 

Saint John's Revelations 555 



PART I. 

Treats of Health without Drugs 

Divine HeaHng, 

Mind and Faith Cure, 

all by the 

Power of God Almighty. 



DIVINE HEALING, 



OUR REDEMPTION RIGHT. 

Many of God's dear people suffering under the bondage of 
disease, when they hear the gospel of healing, are troubled 
with doubt as to their right to claim it. It was for all in the 
first century, and doubtless for some now, but have I a right to 
claim it? There is much involved in this question. Thousands 
today are held in bondage who might be free, leaping and shout- 
ing and praising God for deliverance from all manner of sickness 
and disease, and the cause of Christ exalted above a mere form 
of godliness, were the question of our redemption right settled. 

The church of God has been trailing in the dust of humilia- 
tion and weakness, while the unbelieving world stands off with 
scoffs and jeers, largely, because of the unbelief in the right 
of every child of God to be healed. 

Many an earnest seeker has been perplexed and almost driven 
to despair, when just within reach, yet kept hid from sight through 
unbelief, is the blood-bought inheritance of abundant life and 
health. It is but a trick of the Devil to thus keep God's people in 
bondage. The most sorrowful fact of all is that the majority of 
the sectarian clergy is used to propogate this infernal lie of 
Satan, and hinder many from making their escape from the yoke 
of bondage. At this present critical epoch in the history of 
spiritual advancement there is no greater deception imposed upon 
us than the denial of the right to divine healing and health. If 
we have not the right to this, what blessing in the atonement can 
we claim? "With his stripes we are healed" dare not be substract- 
ed from the fundamental principles of redemption. God pity 
an apostatized ministry that passes lightly over this, and more 
deplorable still, that disbelieves it. This unbelief and superstition 
belong to the dark ages, which have boldly disputed every redemp- 
tion truth, as God has by the Holy Spirit turned the light of heaven 
upon His Holy Word. 



18 D IT IX E H E ALIN G. 

At one time, for a long period, the Devil would have it that 
salvation by faith was an impossibility, but when his deceptions 
were exposed in this respect, he was compelled to retreat by the 
mighty thunderbolts of truth thrown into his ranks. God gave 
the experience of justification by faith to those who came to Him, 
and they were not afraid to tell it to the world at the cost of their 
lives. The truth became established, and now it is largely ad- 
mitted that it is the right of those who repent and believe to 
receive forgiveness of sins. Yet in the face of all this there is 
a denial of this redemption right in every individual case, until 
the seeker begins to believe against the deceptions of the enemy, 
and appropriate the blessed promises of God to all who come to 
Him for pardon. This blessed truth is based upon the redemption 
principle, "He was wounded for our transgressions." This is 
indeed glorious, and eternity will not be too long in which to praise 
God for this wonderful fact. But is it any more a fact than 
that "with his stripes we are healed"? 

When the paralytic was let down through the roof of the 
house where our blessed Redeemer stood. He, seeing their faith, 
granted the poor sufferer the forgiveness of his sins. This of 
course was a surprise to the people, but Jesus had a purpose in 
this, which was, that they might know that he had the power on 
earth to forgive sins. He asks the question, "Whether it is easier 
to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee ; or to 
say, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk i"" Truly no one could ques- 
tion his ability to do both. The recorded facts establish this 
beyond a doubt, but does not the same blessed example prove to us 
that He is just as willing as he is able to do both? It was just as 
much the right of the sufferer to have one as the other. It was 
not a question of worthiness on his part, neither is it upon ours, 
but it is all according to God's mercy. 

It certainly must be clear to the mind of every reader who 
believes the record that God gave of His Son, that all who came 
to Jesus had the right to believe for healing. None were disap- 
pointed. "As many as touched him were healed." It may yet be 
said that this does not make it clear ; that though sufficient has 
been said to show that it was the will of God, and the right of His 
people to claim healing in the primitive time, yet we are in 
different days now, and God's will in this respect has been changed. 
Suppose such an illogical argument were admitted. If God's will 



M IN D AN D FAI T E CU RE . 19 

has been changed with respect to healing, then who can tell us 
that there is anything left in the plan of redemption ? 

But we shall not give place to such foolish imagination. God 
has given us an expression of His will toward mankind through 
Jesus Christ, who promised to be with His disciples as they went 
into all the earth, unto the end of the world. All nations were to 
hear the gospel, and as long as it is yet to go forth God will honor 
His word and confirm it with His healing power upon all who 
by faith come to Him for healing. Those who went forth in 
primitive times preached the full gospel, and all who heard 
and believed received a full experience. This was by no means 
limited to the twelve apostles. It is recorded that healing and 
miracles followed the ministry of Paul, Stephen, and Philip. How 
could the people hear the gospel without it being preached in 
those days? It was necessary then that ''all things whatsoever 
I have commanded you" should be boldly taught. The people 
heard it, and all who were disposed to believe, were saved and 
healed. "Faith cometh by hearing the word of God." — Rom. 
10:17. 

The impotent man at Lystra must have been listening to the 
doctrine of Christ the Healer, when Paul perceived that he had 
faith to be healed. The marvelous result that followed shows 
beyond doubt that he believed, and was healed. In fact it is utterly 
impossible to preach the gospel of Christ without preaching divine 
healing, and as it is the distinctly expressed will of God that 
Christ should be preached to all the world, and nothing could 
please Him but the preaching of His perfect redemption, why 
should we be satisfied in this twentieth century with but a part 
of the gospel ? Whatever Christ was to the world in the days of 
His earthly ministry. He continued to be in the Holy Spirit in the 
days of the apostles, and those that followed. The Spirit was His 
executive to carry on the redemption work as long as this dis- 
pensation shall last, which will be until the coming of Christ. 
Wherever the Holy Spirit dwells and can do the will of God, 
which only can be done in those who believe the gospel, we have 
the right to claim the gospel blessings. 

Among the gifts of the Spirit which God has put in the church 
are the gifts of healing (1 Cor. 13:9), which with every other 
means of grace are designed for the comfort and profit of the 
church, and also to give authority and power to the gospel of 
Christ. Not a sentence in the sacred record can be given to show 



20 D IT IX E H E ALIN G. 

that these gifts have ever been taken out of the church, neither 
that Christ the Healer should not be preached. Just as truly as 
salvation from sin is our blood-bought inheritance, so is healing. 
Let us therefore, in the face of all doubts and disputations of the 
Devil, meet the conditions of faith and claim our redemption right 
''Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits : Who 
forgiveth all thine iniquities ; Who healeth all thv diseases." — Ps. 
103:2,3. 




A PATIENT CONSULTING DR. S. A. RICHMOND. 
Paul says, " There is one God and one Mediator betwee^i God and men — t/ie man Christ Jesns. 



M I N D A y D F AI T H C U li E . 23 



DIVINE HEALING. 

The divine healer is the mediator between Christ and the 
afflicted. Therefore God does, through man, in the name of Jesus 
Christ, heal the sick. In the first place, God healed the sick through 
Jesus Christ. Now he heals the sick through man, in the name of 
Jesus Christ. Then man has inherent power to heal through and 
in the name of Jesus Christ. If you wish to lay your hands on 
the sick you will heal them, with the spoken word, as Jesus healed 
by the laying on of hands with the prayer which must always ac- 
company it. It is one of the greatest gifts that Christ bestowed 
upon man. It destroys pain almost instantly. It is a panacea for 
every disease known to man where it is applied by the spirit of 
God Almighty. It is God's work. It is God's method according 
to the gift of Jesus Christ of the laying on of hands. The divine 
healer reads the mind of the afflicted and diagnoses his case, and 
telegraphs his case to Christ, through silent prayer. Christ pleads 
his case before the throne of God. Christ read the minds of the 
afflicted and had no trouble in healing their diseases. 

The divine healer must cast all evils out of himself and live a 
pure and Christ-like life before he can be endowed with this great 
gift of spiritual power from heaven to heal the sick. He must 
approach his patients with divine love. If he has not this power 
invested in himself, he cannot heal the sick. The afflicted must 
have faith. If they come doubting, as doubting Thomas did, they 
must not expect God to heal them. 

We are healing the afflicted as commanded by Christ, and we 
know that we are on the right road because we heal the sick. We 
know that God gives us the power and he answers our prayers. 
We know that we are right because the Bible tells us that the 
disciples went forth preaching this doctrine, and the truth was 
vindicated by their works. This is how we know that we are 
right. Our works show that we are right. Are you going down 
with this great body of humanity, going over the precipice called 
death, bowing down to sickness, to sin, and to sorrow, or are you 
going to turn your face toward the sunlight of God's truth and 
walk up the stairs of intelligence until you know the truth, as 
Jesus says, which makes you free? If you select the proper road, 
God's hand reaches out to lead you and take you along the pathway, 



24 D IT IX E H E ALiy G. 

filling every step with joy, with peace, wuth contentment, blesses 
you in health, harmony and plenty. God's blessings are here 
awaiting you. In the last command that Jesus gave to His disci- 
ples on the day of His ascension was : "Go ye into all the world 
and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth 
and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be 
damned, and these signs shall follow them that believe." Listen, 
reader, and study Christ's own word — " and these signs shall 
follow them that believe." "In my name shall they cast out devils." 
" They shall speak with new tongues." " They shall take up ser- 
pents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them." 
"They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." This 
blessing was made perpetual, and gave to every man and woman 
power to heal the sick. Listen to Christ's own words — " And these 
signs shall follow them that believe." 

Brother, sister, do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of 
God? If so, be baptized, and you will have the power bestowed 
upon you by Christ to heal the sick. These are Jesus Christ's own 
words. Now, when we doubt, we become fearful, and what is the 
result ? We are simply denying what Jesus Christ told us. It is 
an indictment against God, saying that God has lied to us through 
His Son. 

Now, the record shows this, that in the first place, God healed 
the sick through Jesus Christ. We are told in the sixteenth chapter 
of Mark, when the order went forth to heal the sick, that "in my 
name," Jesus says, you shall do so and so ; and wherever the 
apostles went to heal any person that we have any record of, they 
healed him in the name of Jesus Christ. He has set the way. 
He gives us the path in which to follow, and we are to do as He 
did and do it in His name. Therefore God does, through man, 
in the name of Jesus Christ, heal the sick. Mark you that God 
did, through Jesus Christ, heal the sick. God is the healer. We 
have the same power that Jesus Christ had, because Christ said 
so, but we have to do our healing through and in the name of 
Jesus Christ. 

The healing gift he lends to them 

Who use it in His name, 
The power that filled his garments' hem 

Is evermore the same. 
The healing of his seamless dress 

Is by our beds of pain, 
We touch Him in life's throng and press, 

And we are whole again. 

Whittier. 




DR. S. A. RICHMOND IN THE ACT OF TREATING A PATIENT. 



M I N D A N D FAIT H C U RE . 27 



IN THE ACT OF TREATING A PATIENT. 

Dr. S. A. Richmond in the act of treating a patient according 
to the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and by 
St. James, His brother. Christ practiced the laying on of hands, 
Mark VII:31-37; Mark VIII :22-26, and many other cases couM 
be enumerated. Is any among you afflicted ? Let him pray. Is any 
merry ? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you ? Let him 
call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, an- 
nointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of 
faith shall save the sick. Saint James, IV :13-15. 



HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO EFFECT A CURE? 

This is a Cjuestion frectuently asked. The length of time re- 
quired depends upon the patient. If he comes for treatment with 
a heart like stone, full of hatred, malice, envy, jealousy, and eyes 
full of the lust of the flesh, I cannot promise a speedy cure. He 
must be born again and come as a little child and humble himself 
to God, as the father of the lunatic did when he said with tears, 
" Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." And Jesus rebuked 
the foul spirit, saying unto him : ''Thou deaf and dumb spirit, I 
charge thee come out of him and enter no more into him." His 
disciples asked Him privately why they could not cast him out, 
and the Lord said unto them, " this kind can come forth by nothing, 
but by prayer and fasting." The disciples tried to heal this case, 
but failed for lack of spiritual power. The divine healer must go 
up to the mount of transfiguration to receive power up there. Then 
he is prepared to go below in the valley to heal the sick. He can- 
not impart to others what he does not possess himself. If the 
afflicted will have faith and come with pure hearts, they can get 
a cure almost instantly, but if they come unprepared to receive the 
blessing, it will take longer to cure them. They must be fed on 
this gospel milk until they become spiritually minded, then thev 
will be fed on the gospel meat of this divine healing and mind 
cure. It may take a week to effect a cure, and it may take 
several weeks or even months before they can get this gospel of 
divine healing thoroughly inbred into them. They must give up 
sin and quit sinning and give up all for Jesus. 



28 D IViy E H E AL I X G . 

STRONG IN FAITH. 
(Romans, IV:20.) 

If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down 
but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's throne, 
except they be the earnest prayers of the man who beheves. Faith 
is the angehc messenger between the soul and the Lord Jesus in 
glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send up prayer 
nor receive the answer. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links 
earth and Heaven ; on which God's messengers of love fly so fast 
that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking he 
hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how 
can we receive the promise? If I am sick, I can obtain immediate 
help for my trouble by faith in God's power to heal. Faith clothes 
me with the power of God. Faith engages on my side the om- 
nipotence of Jehovah. Faith insures every attribute of God in 
my defense. It helps me defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march 
triumphant over the necks of my enemies ; but without faith how 
can I receive anything of the Lord ? 

Those who brought their friends to Jesus do we think for a 
moment had no faith? No, they had all faith in His ability and 
power, or why would they have come? Do you think that those 
who were carried had no faith? Surely they had faith, or would 
they have consented to the process ? Do we suppose the centurion 
and his servant had no faith when he came to Jesus? Ah, he 
knew what Jesus was willing and able to do, for he said : "I am 
not worthy for you, the Son of God, to come under my roof. Just 
speak the word and my servant shall be healed," and it was done. 
They came in assurance. They came in a humble and worshipful 
attitude, not in doubts, fears and unbelief. They gave Jesus a 
chance to do His will. We seldom do. They were full of faith 
and obedience and adoration. We come full of doubts and fears 
and unbelief. We live far away from God until perhaps some 
calamity overtakes us. Then we run quickly to God. Will He 
then hear ? He may hear, but He may see fit first to administer a 
lesson. Can we expect the blessings of our Father's house when 
we occupy it so little ? It is He that dwelleth there, and those who 
keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing ir 
His sight, that are to receive what they ask for. 




A NUT TO CRACK. 



MIND AK D FAIT H C UEE . 31 



A NUT TO CRACK. 

A nut for ministers of the gospel to crack. 

The very last words Jesus said to His disciples, the day of His 
ascension, were : ''Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel 
to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, 
but he that believeth not shall be damned, and these signs shall 
follow them that believe." Brothers, here is the nut that I want 
you to crack. Read this carefully, slowly and prayerfully : ''And 
these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall thev 
cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall 
take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not 
hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall re- 
cover." Brother, can you deny Jesus' own words? Mind you, 
signs were not to follow the preacher, but the command was to go 
and preach this gospel and these signs should follow those that 
believe your preaching. Among other things, they should lay then- 
hands on the sick and they should recover. That gift from Christ 
was made perpetual, and those who believe can heal the sick the 
same today as the believers did nineteen hundred years ago. 

AYe have our Savior's example. We are told that He "is the 
Way, the Truth and the Life" ; He went over Palestine and Judea, 
preaching the gospel and healing the sick. What He did He said 
we should do, and we are doing. His command to His disciples was 
to go into all the world and preach this gospel that He had been 
teaching them, and these signs should follow those who believed. 
Mind you, the signs were not to follow the preacher, but the com- 
mand was to go and teach this gospel and preach it, 
and "these signs shall follow those who believe" your preach- 
ing. What were these signs? Among other things, they should 
drink deadly poison and it should not hurt them ; they should 
handle reptiles and nothing could harm them ; they should lay 
their hands on the sick and they should recover. In the Bible 
this is the only definition given of a believer, how a believer should 
be known. He who believes, has and must have that power. The 
signs must follow. They had the power then, and according to 
the immutable and unchangeable laws of God Almighty there 
never was a change ; those who believed then had the signs fol- 
lowing, and those who believe today have the same signs and 
can heal the sick. 



82 /; / T' / X /; u e a l i .\ a . 

Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship with the Father, and 
we must enter into the same divine companionship if we would 
bless our fellow men. Xo wonder that the apostles were clothed 
with power when the}- came down fresh from the mountain where 
Jesus w^as. This morning we must endeavor to ascend the mount 
of communion, that there we may be ordained to the lite-work 
for which we are set apart. Let us not see the face of man today 
till we have seen Jesus. Time spent with Him is laid out at 
blessed interest. We, too, shall cast out devils and work wonders 
if we go down into the world girded with that divine energy whicli 
Christ alone can give. It is of no use going to the Lord's battle 
till we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus : this 
is essential. At the mercy seat we will linger till He shall mani- 
fest Himself unto us as He doth not unto the world, and until we 
can truthfully say, "W'e were with Him in the Holy Mount." 

Jesus' promise was made perpetual for all time to come, and 
means you, me and everybody that believes and is baptized. You 
should heal the sick, and every man and woman should heal the 
sick that believes as Jesus intends that we should believe and is 
baptized. Brother, do you believe or do you doubt Jesus' word' 
If you doubt it, you make Jesus out a liar. There are a great many 
people who cannot heal the sick, but every person who believes 
as Jesus Christ intends he shall believe can heal the sick. And it 
you cannot heal the sick you have not the full belief that set you 
free. Ministers of the gospel, God's holy annointed, are the last 
persons on earth who should employ a physician, other than 
Christ Jesus. When they were anointed to preach the gospel, 
they were made shepherds to look after Christ's sheep. They 
were given power to heal sin and save souls. The same power 
that heals sin will heal the sick, only they have to use and apply 
this powder in a different way. Jesus said, "He that believeth on 
i\Ie, the w^orks that I do he shall do also." Whenever you believe 
as Christ intends you should, then there is no power on earth to 
prevent you from healing the sick. Nothing can be found in the 
word of God where these conditions were to be altered in the 
ministration of these blessings throughout the Holy Spirit dis- 
pensation. It is the blessed privilege of every true and humble 
minister of the gospel of Christ to possess this same power, yea, 
more, no one should dare undertake to preach the gospel without 
the endowment of this power. The command to the disciples is 
equally binding upon every disciple of Jesus today, whether a 
professed minister or not. 




WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 35 



SHALL I DISCHARGE MY DOCTOR? 

Shall I discharge my doctor ? is a question frequently asked. 
My answer is, no. If you have any faith in him you cannot afford 
to discharge him and make a life-long enemy. If God Almighty 
cannot heal the sick in spite of the physicians, then He is not 
omnipotent in power. The physicians of Esculapius and myself 
are all in the same boat — they are powerless and are in the hands 
of God. If God does not give their medicines their medical vir- 
tues and healing properties, they make no cures ; on the other 
hand, if the patient comes to me filled full of unbelief, and God 
does not hear my prayers, I make no cures. So, you see, we are 
all depending upon God for power, through Christ. Christ has 
charge of the keys of the celestial kingdom that unlock and reveal 
unto men the hidden mysteries. I treat the afflicted in accordance 
with the divine rules laid down and practiced by Jesus Christ. It 
is all done through love. That was Christ's method. In that way 
I accomplish the desired results and will not block the wheels 
of this precious truth by needless antagonism. I never ask my 
patients whether they are taking medicines, or how many physicians 
they have treating them. It makes no difference to me how many 
doctors they have. God through Christ does the healing. I care 
not whether the afflicted is healed through drugs or by the divine 
power. I shall do my duty and do all I can for my patient. If I 
fail to cure him, I will do him no harm ; but, if he gets in the 
hands of an unskilled and unprincipled medical doctor, and he does 
not cure him he is liable to do him injury. My advice to the 
afflicted is, when they employ a medical man, to employ a good one 
and to avoid the one whose hide is soaked with rum. Such a man 
should not practice medicine even on dumb brutes, much less the 
human family. 

Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. 
Here is a world which, since the days of Jesus Christ, has been 
depending upon materia medica alone for its healing, for we have 
no record of any miraculous healing, so-called, since about three 
centuries after Christ's death. To come to the people now as a 
divine healer, after all of these ages, and say, you must discharge 
your doctor, before I will take the case, is a preposterous and an 
unchristian spirit. If the presence of a physician in the sick-room 
serves as a balm in Gilead to the sorrowing soul, who can ration- 



36 DITIXEHEALIXG. 

ally object but a heathen. The power of a divine healer is purely 
spiritual — a gift direct from the All-Wise Divinity. They, or! 
course, can have no confidence in medicine, which even the higher 
class of medical men declare to be absolutely empirical, simply ex- 
perimental and not definite in its results. Really and unprejudiced- 
ly, the practice of materia medica is merely a system of guess work 
from beginning to end — a sort of hit or miss in its results. I was 
a disciple of Esculapius and his pill bag for many years. When the 
hand of God Almighty was behind my medicines, I made cures 
and when it was not, I made failures the same as all other 
doctors. 

AMiat is God? What is Truth? \Miat is Life? Love, mind, 
health, spirit, intelligence, strength, soul, good, right, they are all 
one and the same thing. They are all real, because they are all in- 
finite and eternal. We now recur to the question, W^hat is God? 
We are told, first, that God is spirit. We find that the spiritual 
tree is judged by its fruits. The fruits of the spirit are love, peace, 
joy. long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, tem- 
perance. There is no hate among these fruits. There is nothing 
but good. There, good is the fruit of the spirit. We are told 
that when He shall come again we shall be like Him, for we shall 
see Him as He is. We are told, God's spirit maketh life, for God 
is the Life. Wliat is life ? Did you ever notice, did you ever think 
what life is ? When God made man. He breathed into his nostrils. 
What ? The breath of life. There never was one child created any 
different from another since the original creation. All have this 
breath of life, which is the breath of God. Life, therefore, is 
what ? Life is the breath of God — life is God. Therefore know 
that God is omnipresent love and that God's love surrounds you ; 
that you live in it — that it covers you as the waters cover the fishes 
in the sea. Xow. can evil come near you? can it touch you? can 
you be sick ? can you be poor ? can you be sorrowful ? can you be 
in trouble of any kind or character when God Almighty's love 
engulfs you and you live in it, and love covers you as the waters 
cover the fishes in the sea? God's love is unlimited power, om- 
nipotence. God is good, all good, and you live in love and you 
live in God, and you live in all good as well. Therefore, good 
surrounds you upon the right hand and upon the left, and it is only 
he or she who fails to realize this truth, who doubts the word of 
God Almighty, that can suffer. 




ESCULAPIUS AND THE PILL BAG. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 39 



ESCULAPIUS AND THE PILL BAG. 

For many years I was a disciple of Esculapius, and carried his 
pill bag and treated and prescribed drugs to thousands of sick 
people. I made failures the same as all other doctors, and I made 
some wonderful cures, and have been lauded to the skies by the 
press and pulpit. I never made a cure in my life, nor did the 
medical faculty or any living- man, but that the hand of God 
Almighty was the prevailing character in each and every case. 
God gave the patient faith to believe that the medicine would cure 
him, and God gave the medicines their medicinal virtues and heal- 
ing qualities, and the cure was performed by God and not by man. 
There is nothing impossible with God. If He can heal the sick 
with drugs. He can just as easily heal them without drugs. I be- 
came disgusted with drugs and dropped them, and put my trust 
in God Almighty through Jesus Christ, the great Healer and 
founder of divine healing that cures every known disease. 

My honest opinion is that doctors do more harm than good. 
There is a medical book written, entitled "Every Man His Own 
Doctor." The author ought to write one more book and entitle it, 
''Every Man His Own Undertaker." The doctor is welcomed in 
every mansion. Children shout when they see his gig coming, and 
old men, recognizing his step, look up and say, "Doctor, is that 
you?" He stands between their families and the grave, fighting 
disease. No one receives as many hearty thanks as the doctor. 
Under God and by God's divine hand, he makes the blind see, the 
deaf hear, the lame walk. The path of such is strewn with the 
benedictions of those whom they have befriended. But we never 
hear any shouts of thanks from the thousands whose lives were 
wrecked by their poisonous drugs, as the result of their medical 
mistakes and malpractice. How many thousands of children are 
now suffering from the results of the ruined constitutions of their 
parents as a trophy and an heirloom, or a legacy, bestowed upon 
them by the medical profession. How many thousands of consci- 
entious parents suffer all the torments of the damned as the result 
of poisonous drugs, medical mistakes and malpractice by incom- 
petent doctors. Look around you on every side and see the thous- 
ands of sickly, half imbecile, dwarf children, about half made up. 
From whence do these all spring? Certainly not from nature. Ah 



40 D I V I N E H E ALIX G. 

no ! Look back to the days of our forefathers, through the dim 
vista of ages, and see to what an age human Hfe was prolonged. 
That was nature before Esculapius and his pill bag arrived. There 
may be some physicians who have objections to this article. If 
they do, investigate and you will find that they are infidels, scribes 
and Pharisees, and would crucify Jesus Christ as quickly and as 
readily as they did nineteen hundred years ago. I am not making 
a fight or warfare on doctors, but am championing the cause of 
Christianity and God's powxr through Christ to heal the sick. I 
have seen physicians completely under the influence of rum pre- 
scribe medicines for the sick ; when they were so drunk that they 
could not walk erect and their tongues were paralyzed, so that 
no one could understand what they said. No wonder doctors lose 
so many patients, and still they are protected under the cloak 
of the medical profession. You may take any leading doctor's pre- 
scriptions and they are not worth the paper they are written on 
without the power of God Almighty. The hand of God gave the 
medical virtues and healing properties to the drugs they prescribed. 
There is not a conscientious Christian medical practitioner in the 
world but what will acknowledge this to be the fact. 

Dr. James B. Bell, of Boston, an eminent physician and be- 
liever in divine healing, in writing about the blind faith of people 
in the use of patent medicines, says, "But, to be faithful, I must 
also warn you against the use of drugs by physicians. Narcotics, 
sedatives, stimulants, tonics, quinine, antipyrine, and hundreds of 
others are injuring brains and nerves, stomachs and livers, bring- 
ing on heart failure and doing far more harm than good. Dr. 
Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose fame is known from ocean to 
ocean as a medical man, said that, 'if all the drugs were cast into 
the sea, it would be better for humanity, but worse for the fishes.' '' 
Dr. Bell said, 'T believe that if the advice of Dr. Holmes were 
followed, and physicians would confine themselves to giving good 
advice and mechanical and surgical aid when needed, those afflict- 
ed would be better off." That is Dr. S. A. Richmond's theory, 
and he applies all the mechanical and surgical aids in connection 
with his divine healing, and that is the secret of his great success 
in healing the sick. 

I am fulfilling Christ's commands : "Go out into the world and 
lay your hands upon the sick and heal them." Christ made many 
miraculous cures by laying His hands upon the diseased spot. Di- 
vine healing uses the hands to correct these obstructions and then 
the Spirit of God does the rest. 




HEALING OF SIMON'S WIFE'S MOTHER. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 43 

HEALING OF SIMON'S WIFE'S MOTHER. 
(mark 1:29-31.) 

" And forthwith, when they were come out of the syn- 
gogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with 
Jesus and John." 

" But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever." 

" And He came and took her by the hand, and hfted her 
up ; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto 
them." 

Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the apos- 
tolic fisherman. Peter's house was probably a poor fisherman's hut, 
but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a mir- 
acle in it. Should this book be read this morning in some 
very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek 
the company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than 
in rich palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is 
waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon's house sickness had 
entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law ; 
and as soon as Jesus came they told Him of the sad affliction, and 
He hastened to the patient's bed. Have you any sickness in the 
house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician ; 
go to Him at once, and tell Him all about the matter. The tender 
heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs ; let us pour them into His 
patient ear. 



HEALING OF A GREAT FEVER. 

''And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his 
wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And He touched her 
hand, and the fever left her : and she arose and ministered unto 
them." — Matt. 8 :14, 15. This same narrative given in the gospels 
of Mark and Luke, teaches us that this woman was prostrate with 
a great fever. Jesus rebuked it, took her hand, and lifted her up. 
She was immediately healed of the fever and received divine 
strength and at once arose and ministered to them. In this 
expression of mercy we see the power and will of Christ to heal 
fevers. He could not be a perfect Healer if He could not heal 



44 DiriXEEEALI X G . 

fevers. "Himself bare our sicknesses/' includes all diseases which 
He healed in His earthly ministry, and every invention of modern 
name that Satan has fastened on suffering humanity. Christ was 
more than a match for the works of the Devil then, and the 
centuries that have passed have not diminished his saving and 
healing power. The gospel dispensation has not ended yet, there- 
fore we have the privilege of the same provisions of redemption 
now as were enjoyed through faith in Christ at the beginning of 
this glorious age. 

Theological theory and tradition speak to the contrary, but 
how can we whose ears and hearts are open to the gospel only, 
receive the sayings of men wdio have but the form of the gospel, 
and deny the power thereof ? We bow in humble reverence to the 
name of Christ today, who is the Exalted One on the right hand of 
the Majesty on high, and proves to His people who believe in Him 
as Healer, that He is just as ready to rebuke devils and heal 
fevers as He was when He entered the sick-room and stood by the 
bedside of the mother-in-law of Peter. His compassionate heart is 
just the same today. He waits to be invited to the bedside of every 
sufferer. ^Multitudes can testify today of cases of healing from 
fever where the loving hand of Christ by the power of the Holy 
Spirit has been laid upon them and the burning fever was 
stayed. 

'T am the Lord that healeth thee" is as deeply significant to 
God today as it was in the days of Israel ; and if it were no less 
so to His church, there would be a mighty advance of spiritual 
power and vindication of the word of God, in the midst of this 
crooked and perverse world. Indeed there is no greater 
scriptural manner by which the church can glorify God and shine 
forth with the brilliancy of apostolic times than by honoring anil 
worshiping Christ our Healer. 

Why not, brethren, pray as did the apostles, and then act 
accordingly? "Grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness 
they may speak Thy word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal, 
and that signs and wonders may be done in the name of thy 
holy child Jesus. " This is an apostolic prayer. Let us pray it. 
Believe it. Receive it. Live it. Then will we shut the mouths 
of the gainsaying world and compel men to confess the truthful- 
ness of the word of God. Why did the people flock to Jesus in 
some places in great throngs? He was not attractive in his 
manner, or appearance, or words. He did not restrain the 



M I N D A A' D FAITH C U RE . 45 

unpleasant theme of His earthly ministry, repent. His words cut 
men to their hearts, until even his enemies were compelled to con- 
fess : "Never man spake like this man." Why then did they 
gather around Him so from all quarters where they heard of 
Him ^ Was it not because He stretched forth His hand to heal ? 
Ah, this was the secret. How then shall men be attracted to Him 
today ? The multiplied counterfeits of Satan are designed to hold 
the world in unbelief, and keep men from coming to Christ. But 
is not the unbelieving, Aveak, and formal church, as she trails 
the banner of full salvation in the dust, and her light shines forth 
only in flickering rays, thus making the word of God of none 
effect, doing more to keep the world in unbelief than the Devil 
himself can possibly do otherwise? 



JESUS REBUKED THE FEVER 

but there was something back of this that was the cause of the 
trouble. The fever was only the effect, and had no power of its 
own to remain or depart. In his rebuke Jesus spoke directly to a 
living power which could put on or take off the fever. This was a 
spirit of infirmity. The fever was but the burning hand of the evil 
spirit which Jesus rebuked. At His word it had to let loose its 
destructive grasp, which would soon have ended the earthly life of 
this woman. If the reader needs light upon this subject, it will 
be found in abundance in the word of God. It is the business of 
Satan to bind with diseases. 

It is the business of Christ to heal those who are bound. In 
Luke 13 :11 we read of a woman who had a spirit of infirmity 
eighteen years. Jesus testifies after healing her that Satan had 
bound her, and proves by the miracle, that He came to undo the 
works of Satan. This truth may seem repulsive to some of God's 
children who cannot understand how a true Christian can be thus 
bound by the Devil. Being bound or oppressed by the Devil does 
not necessarily imply that the individual is living in sin. It is true 
that sin is the door through which .the Devil enters and takes 
possession in every possible manner in which he can. This subject 
will be dealt with more definitely in another chapter, but for the 
present it may satisfy the mind of the reader to say that devil- 
oppression and devil-possession are scripturally in many respects 
very much alike. All sickness is in a greater or less degree devil- 



46 D lYIN E H E ALIX G. 

Oppression, which term inchides being "bound of the Devil." We 
do not think it possible that any responsible person can become 
possessed of the Devil without the commission of sin, either 
directly or indirectly. In case of devil-possessed children in their 
innocency the cause lies in the parents who have sinned, perhaps 
before the child was born. In such cases nothing but true repent- 
ance on the part of the parents will ever bring deliverance to the 
child. Devil-oppression exists in many cases upon God's children 
through a simple lack of faith. Sin may be the direct cause m 
most cases ; yet to say that every child of God who is sick has com- 
mitted sin, would be making an unwarranted statement. 

The expression in Jas. 5 :15, "And if he have committed sins, 
they shall be forgiven him," signifies that we may be sick without 
having committed sin. An unintentional mistake in judgment as 
to the proper use of our bodies, or a lack of faith in an unavoidable 
exposure to disease, or other usual means through which sickness 
comes, may give the advantage to the Devil, who is ever on the 
alert to destroy. He is ''seeking whom he may devour," physically, 
as well as spiritually and morally. There is but one means of safety, 
a prescription that never fails, "Wlioin resist steadfast in the 
faith/' 

The testimony of Peter in Acts 10 :38 proves that sickness is 
the oppression of the Devil. Jesus " went about doing good 
and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil." Either Satan 
himself or his spirits are the direct agencies of sickness. This 
is of course only by the permission of God, the same as temptation 
in other respects. Sickness should be considered and resisted the 
same as temptation. God tempts no one (Jas. 1 :13) and we can as 
boldly and scripturally say that God does not make any one sick. 
Jesus did not come to work against God in His earthly life and 
ministry in healing the sick ; but He did work against the Devil, 
and conquered him in every respect. 

By faith in Jesus today every diabolical disease from the pit of 
destruction may be destroyed. Hallelujah ! Let us bow in rev- 
erence to Christ, the mighty Deliverer. This scriptural truth 
should fill every heart with a holy vehemence against disease, with 
a determination that by the grace of God there shall be no silence 
until perfect healing is received. Let every sufferer move out 
upon the plane of our redemption right, and marvelous will be the 
results to the glory of our God. May the cries and prayers of 
faith be heard in everv direction from those Avho are bound and 



M I N D A N D F A I T H CU RE . 47 

Oppressed by Satan. Let the earnestness of the bhnd man be 
manifested — "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us." 

While we are humbly grateful to God for our own deliverance 
from diseases, we are intensely in earnest as intercessors for 
others, and those who seem to make no progress in faith for them- 
selves, must take courage and lay hold upon God as never before. 
He will deliver if you but keep believing. It may be appropriate 
and timely to offer a suggestion here to those seeking healing, 
especially those who may have sought for some time without any 
manifest evidence of answered prayer. A deeper earnestness is 
advisable to all, such as has characterized the prayers of Daniel, 
Hezekiah, and many of the patriarchs and prophets ; but in such 
depths of earnestness, let every one bear in mind the instructions 
of the apostle to the Philippians — "In everything by prayer and 
supplication zvith thanksgiving let your recpiests he made known 
unto God:'—Vhi\. 4:6. 

. In the deepest intensity of prayer and supplication when the 
soul is lost to all the world and absorbed in the one desire, there 
are instances where God sees proper for the time being to with- 
hold the answer. This seems like death to the seeker, who may 
perhaps have to go his way with an unanswered prayer. A heavy 
gloom may begin to settle down upon him and great discourage- 
ment follow, until like Abraham a great "horror of darkness" may 
encompass his soul. What to do he knows not. More prayer but 
adds to his misery. Here is the difficulty. He should not cease 
the prayer and supplications, but he should in the midst of his deep 
intensity mix much thanksgiving into his supplications. 

There are thousands of blessings in this great salvation which 
we already possess which should cause much thanksgiving. W> 
must never become so much interested in anything else as to 
forget to thank God for what we already possess. This sweetens 
our earnestness and gives wings to our faith, which carries our 
prayer into the ears of God and brings the answer back. Let every 
request be made known to God by prayer and supplication zvith 
thanksgiving. Try it, dear sufferer, and see how your heart will 
brighten as you earnestly pray for your healing. It puts a heavenly 
relish into our prayers, and helps us to rejoice in the most dis- 
couraging trials. The answer will come when faith has been 
developed, and you will find there has not been one prayer nor tear 
too many. The blessed Christ is waiting to do his part. Believe 
him. 



48 DIVIN E H E ALIN G. 



HEALING THE MULTITUDE. 

"WHien the even was come they brought unto Him many that 
were possessed with devils : and lie cast out the spirits with his 
word, and healed all that were sick : that it might be fulfilled which 
was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirm- 
ities, and bare our sicknesses." — Matt. 8 :16, 17. 

Jesus had previously been through different parts of Galilee, 
where He had healed all manner of sicknesses and diseases. His 
fame had gone out to surrounding places so that the people from 
Jerusalem, Decapolis, and elsewhere sought for and followed 
Him. 

He went up into the mountain and was followed there by 
disciples who sat at His feet and heard His wonderful words of 
life, the sermon on the mount. He descended to Capernaum and 
on the Sabbath day went into the synagogue and taught the 
people. It was directly from this synagogue that He went into 
Peter's house and healed his mother-in-law. The people knew He 
was there in the house and began to gather around Him. Their 
strict regard for the Sabbath kept them from bringing their sick 
until the sun was setting, which was the close of the Jewish day. 
To bear any burdens on the Sabbath would, of course, be in viola- 
tion of their law. But as soon as the closing moment of the day 
had arrived they began to bring their sick and helpless from all 
parts of the city, until all the city was gathered together at the 
door. What an interesting time for all, but especially the poor 
captives (who were under the cruel hand of the Devil : some were 
possessed *and others oppressed my him), as Jesus took them one 
by one and cast out the evil spirits with His word, and laid his 
hands on the sick and healed them all. There must have been great 
joy in that city that evening. 



JESUS HEALED THEM ALL. 

Had He healed with respect to persons, there might have been 
no hopes for some, but there is no record of one case ever being 
turnecl away by our compassionate Redeemer, and we do have 
repeated testimony that He healed all who came to Him. "And 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 49 

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their 
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing 
every sickness, and every disease among the people." — Matt. 9 :35. 
"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved 
with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. . . . And 
w^hen they were gone over they came to the land of Gennesaret, 
and when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, they sent 
out into all that country round about, and brought unto Him all 
that were diseased ; and besought Him that they might only touch 
the hem of His garment, and as many as touched were made per- 
fectly whole."— Matt 14 :14, 34-36. 

The conditions were simple. They came to Him. Every 
sinner must do this to obtain pardon. Every believer must do 
this to obtain cleansing. The gift of God is offered freely to all, 
but none can receive without a perfect compliance with the divine 
conditions, which may be summed up in two words — Obedience 
and Faith. It is frequently stated that Jesus healed the people 
unconditionally, but such was not the case. The individual 
instances mentioned, either definitely state, or clearly imply the 
faith of the individual, or some intercessor, or both. God is not to 
be limited within the bounds of human comprehension in the 
operations of His free grace toward man, and yet we can clearly 
perceive the scriptural grounds which we are instructed to take 
if we would come to Him for these blessings. 

Wherever and whenever the sick and suffering came to Jesus 
He healed them. This was the delight of His loving heart to 
minister this heavenly deliverance unto all. Nothing could have 
afforded Him greater joy than to see them coming from all 
directions with their sorrowful hearts and sick bodies, and pressing 
their way through the throng to either touch Him or have His 
loving hand reach out and touch them. It must have been painful 
to His heart when in any place like in His own city He could do 
no mighty work because of the unbelief of the people. If He 
could do no mighty work among the people then because 
of their unbelief. He is for the same reason hindered 
from doing so today. Oh, that the church of God might awaken 
to this solemn fact. Our feeble experiences through unbelief, are 
so often made the standard of what God is able and willing to do. 
We should rather humbly bow before Him and His holy word, 
confessing our unbelief, and then with a death-grip lay hold upon 
the promises until they are fulfilled in us. He healed all that were 



50 D IT IX E HE ALI X G . 

sick, when they came to Him in faith. He is still the same loving, 
compassionate Christ with more power than he had at that time, 
for He has since then met and made powerless him that had the 
power of death, and has been exalted "far above all principality 
and power and might and dominion and every name 
that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come." 

One great error taught among the people of God today, is that 
He is not willing to heal all who come to Him. No one can 
exercise perfect faith in any promise unless first assured that the 
promise is for him. He must have some scriptural ground for his 
faith to rest upon to be able to claim a definite attainable blessing. 
Unless we have this warrant for our faith, it would be much better 
not to ask at all than to ask God for something contrary to His 
will. The question of His will must first be settled. There is no 
means of doing this outside of His word. His word is His will. 
Jesus Christ is that spoken word. Every deed and word of Jesus 
was the expression of that divine will. It has not been revoked 
and will not be, until the close of this gospel dispensation. There 
is no blessing of grace more plainly promised than the blessing 
of healing. 

Why not then step out on His word and receive it ? If, when 
every known condition is met, the answer has not yet come, let 
us not begin to say the answer is not for me. A delay is not a 
denial. There are some things we may pra}' for that are not in 
harmony with God's will, and therefore the answer must be 
refused by our dear Father, whose mind and wisdom is infinitely 
greater than ours, and an answer would not be for the best. In 
every such case it is our perfect right to learn zvhy our petition is 
not granted. 

Every seeker for any blessing that is not plainly promised of 
God, should always be ready at any time to withdraw the petition. 
No such proviso need be made when asking for salvation or heal- 
ing, but there are some things asked for at times, by nearly every 
child of God, that need this limit. Moses asked to enter Canaan. 
God could not grant the petition, but definitely and satisfactorily 
gave Moses the reason why. Jesus in Gethsemane asked that the 
cup of suffering be removed. The father could not grant His 
petition, but satisfied the heart of our Savior, and sent an angel to 
minister unto Him. He unmistakably knew why His petition was 
not granted. Paul sought God thrice to have the thorn in his 
flesh removed. Gid did not remove it, but did tell him wdiv. f Let 



MIND AND FAITH CURE . 51 

US not say that this thorn was some sickness or disease, because 
this cannot be scripturally proved.) Nothing else than the 
answered prayer or the reason why should satisfy us. It is much 
easier to submit to an unanswered prayer sometimes than it is to 
sumbit ourselves to God for the necessary preparation and search- 
ing by His Spirit, before He can entrust us with the answer. 

Dear sufferer, search the scriptures and be convinced that it is 
the will of God to save, cleanse and heal you, and then acquaint 
yourself with the necessary conditions ; meet them in dead earnest- 
ness, submitting yourself without reserve to Him for every 
necessary preparation to receive the blessing, and you shall have the 
desire of your heart. He is just as ready and willing to heal all 
who come to Him now as He ever has been in the past. 




THE MAGIC TOUCH. 



M I N D AN D FAITH CURE. 55 

THE MAGIC OF TOUCH. 

(LUKE 8:46.) 

And Testis said, "Somebody hath touched Me, for I preceive 
that virtue is gone out of me." 

From Capernaum, in Galilee, Jesus has crossed the sea of 
Tiberius to Gadara for the purposes of rest and recuperation. But 
after a notable miracle, the healing of two furious demoniacs 
and the destruction of the herd of swine, he is driven out of the 
country because the people had too much stock in hogs to take 
any in Christ. 

Again in Capernaum, he is scarcely landed from the fishing 
boat when another demand is made upon His power and sym- 
pathy. One of the local dignitaries, Jairus, a ruler of the syna- 
gogue, is in sorrow ; his only daughter is at the point of death, 
maybe now even dead. Will He come and heal her? Yes, He will 
come. Never was there an appeal of expectant suffering disre- 
garded by the Savior. 

Though consenting to go and starting at once. He does not 
go very fast and lets the multitude hinder His footsteps in a most 
unaccountable way, especially when it is remembered that in the 
last throes of death the sweet child is gasping. 

The reason is soon apparent, for on His way to the performance 
of His seventh miracle, there is an occurrence which makes it 
the eighth of His ministry when He gets there. 

Ah, the Master's footsteps are slow on the way to the rich 
ruler's abode, that an impoverished stricken woman may be able 
to overtake Him. She who for twelve years hacf been wasting 
with an incurable disease. Her little patrimony with all her 
earnings had been spent upon her disease and she had suffered 
many things of many physicians, only to impoverish her purse 
and aggravate her diseased condition„ 

But, after all her disappointments and impoverishments of 
her time, when she heard of the return of Jesus, ceremonially 
imclean as she was by reason of her infirmity, she determined to 
brave everything and go to Him ; for she said within herself, 'Tf 
I may but touch His clothes I shall be made whole." Longing 
for health and inspired by this faith, she wended her way through 
the multitude, now swayed this way and that, but ever gaining 



56 DIYINE HEALING. 

Upon the tardy motion of the waiting Savior. True, a ruler's 
daughter was dead and the mourners waihng, but her restoration 
must wait upon the faith of this daughter of sorrow. She touched 
Him with unfaltering faith. Immediately when the material con- 
nection was made that her faith had claimed she was healed and 
knew it for herself. And shall she speed away with her recovered 
strength and never give glory to Him who hath healed her with 
testimony. No, the Master is too tender of His shrinking ones to 
let them treat Him so, and He Himself institutes the inquiry as 
to who hath touched Him. How strange the query. Thronged 
by the multitude there were touches and touches. Scores had 
touched Him and received nothing, and He had felt 
nothing, but there had been one simple, single touch 
from a soul in need with a hand of intelligent faith 
to which healing virtue had responded. Ah, there is magic in the 
touch of the right kind. 

What a moment for the trembling penitent when Jesus turned 
and said, " Daughter, be of good comfort." Ah, the tenderness 
of His nature is shown in the very term which he employs. Be 
of good comfort. Her Healer is her Comforter. There are those 
who relieve needs, but leave one colder for the contact. 

She only touched the hem of His garment 

As to His side she stole. 
Amid the crowd that gathered round Him, 

And straightway she was whole. 

She came in fear and trembling before Him ; 

She knew her Lord had come. 
She felt that from Him virtue had healed her, 

The mighty deed was done. 

He turned with ''daughter, be of good comfort, 

Thy faith hath made thee whole," 
And peace that passeth all understanding. 

With gladness filled her soul. 

W^e have but to" think of the myriads who have been delivered 
from all sorts of diseases through the power and virtue of His 
touch, and we shall joyfully put ourselves in His hands. We 
trust Him, and sin dies ; we love Him, and grace lives ; we wait 
for Him, and grace is strengthened; we see Him as He is, and 
grace is perfected forever. 



M I N D A N D F AIT E CV RE . 57 

It is the privilege of every child of God in Christ to possess 
every redemption blessing, but every such blessing is measured out 
to us according to our faith. In simpler words, Jesus Christ is to 
us just what we take Him for. He is able to do exceeding abund- 
antly above all that we ask or think, irrespective of our desires, but 
in His redemption plan He does not do this. He only does, in and 
for us "according to the power that worketh in us," which power 
is the power of faith. Every blessing is in itself far beyond our 
comprehension or power of expression, even after we have it in 
our possession. It is much more than we ask for, but it cannot 
be obtained without the asking, and the asking must be a definite 
act of faith. Faith is the golden key that God puts into the hand 
of every obedient person who comes to him. With it the royal 
storehouse of heavenly treasures may be unlocked, and we may 
help ourselves to all we can make use of for our highest good and 
His glory. 

As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, we shall 
by the revelation of the Holy Spirit know how to obtain the 
sacred treasures within the inner court, the second veil. The 
capacity to obtain and retain will increase in proportion with the 
divinely directed use of this golden key, which will surely give 
access to all of Christ "in whom are hid all the treasures of 
wisdom and knowledge." 

"A certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 
and had sufTered many things of many physicians, and had spent 
all she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when 
she heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His gar- 
ment. For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be 
whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up ; 
and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And 
Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out 
of Him, turned about in the press, and said. Who touched mv 
clothes ? And His disciples said unto him. Thou seest the multi- 
tude thronging thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me ? And He 
looked round about to see her who had done this thing. But the 
woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done for her, 
came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth. And 
He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole ; go in 
peace, and be whole of thy plague." — Mark o :25-34. 

For twelve long years this poor sufferer had hoped for help 
from earthly physicians. She had not ceased with trving one 



58 DIVINE HEALING. 

physician, but had employed many, who had not only exhausted 
their medical skill but perhaps had used surgery, for "she had 
suffered many things of many physicians," but gradually her life 
forces were ebbing away, and her financial resources were propor- 
tionately decreasing, until all her living was gone, and but a small 
supply of life remained. She was left utterly helpless and hopeless, 
and probably had heard but little of Jesus and God's way of heal- 
ing, up to this time, but she had a heart to believe. Her faith was 
beyond the intellectual ; it was in her heart. She heard of Jesus as 
many others had. The curious throng that was gathered around 
Him had all heard of Him, and were very anxious to see Him do 
some miracle — some perhaps simply through idle curiosity, who 
had evil hearts of unbelief ; and others to learn more about Him 
and be convinced that He had power to heal. But this woman 
believed that He was both able and willing. She had neither a 
curiosity to be gratified nor a mere desire for experiment, as so 
many have today. She was not a rebellious sinner, but had a 
heart obedient toward God, who when she had heard of Jesus be- 
lieved in Him. 

How did she happen to have such faith ? She did not happen 
to have it. She had it because she had an obedient and willing 
heart. Jesus told the chief priests and elders (Matt. 21 :32.) how 
they could have believed on John, but they would not repent that 
they might believe. This woman had met the conditions for faith. 
She was on believing ground, and therefore had faith to be healed. 
Jesus did not heal her, nor any one else, unconditionally. There 
may be instances in which we may unconsciously have met the 
conditions of faith, but these must, nevertheless, be met. There 
may be instances in which others may have a great measure of 
faith for us, and for the time secure the blessing of healing for 
us, but sooner or later, where we are individually responsible, we 
must have faith for ourselves. 

This woman had persistent faith, the only kind that ever ac- 
complishes anything, or receives blessings from God ; the only kind 
that God can honor. 



SHE ACTED HER FAITH. 

There was no feeling healed, or feeling to see if she was healed 
in this part of her experience. Her actions were actions of faith. 



MIND AXD FAITH CURE. 59 

Very strange, no doubt, to the unbelieving spectators ! Perhaps 
as strange as the actions of the bhnd man, who cried out to the Son 
of David for mercy as He passed by. An act of faith is always a 
strange act of unbelievers, and usually misunderstood by our breth- 
ren, but faith is blind to all but its object, and with unsw^erving 
purpose keeps its course like the ship with her mighty engines 
plowing her way through the billows, wind, and tide. Unheeding 
the ridicule or opinions of men, faith moves out with reckless indif- 
ference to its surroundings. The act of faith must necessarily sep- 
arate and single us out from those who cannot act in harmou)- 
with us. Others cannot see our object, and are almost certain to 
see the opposite — everything that is a hindrance to faith. In the 
material and sense world everything is by sight, but in the faith 
world we *'walk not by sight," but like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and 
all those whose names have been singled out as God's faithful 
children, we must endure as seeing Him who is invisible until every 
act shall be rewarded by Him who hath promised. 

The woman in her struggles did not fail, although she meant 
to touch Him perhaps differently from what she succeeded. She 
aimed to touch at least his clothes, but she accomplished her object 
quite imperfectly and touched but the hem of His garment, which 
was reached by her last desperate stretch. But it was an act of 
faith, and she was not disappointed in the result of that act, even 
though the execution on her part was not altogether perfect. Her 
most discouraging moment was just before the touch, but her faith 
was equal to the trial. Her physical feeling must have been 
intensely discouraging in such a struggle, but faith, not feeling, 
was the prompting motive of her effort, and now when faith had 
reached its object, the blessing came. The healing virtue from the 
body of Jesus was felt. He turned about to see who it was who 
had touched Him with this touch of faith. 



"SOMEBODY HATH TOUCHED ME," 

He said, as the disciples tried to explain to Him that there were 
many thronging Him and touching Him all around ; but these 
touches were only the ordinary contact with the people. They did 
not attract His attention, nor obtain any virtue from Him, but here 
was a touch of faith which thrilled His very soul and body. Faith 
produced the feeling in the body of the woman ; for 



60 BI V IN E HEALING 



"SHE FELT IN HER BODY THAT SHE WAS HEALED," 

but not until she had first accompUshed the act of faith. Had she 
said she would not believe until she felt healed, she would never 
have received it, and had she believed she had it before putting 
forth the act of faith, she would never have received it. Faith can 
hold the blessing in the promise and rejoice in the prospect of its 
fulfillment, but the fulfillment will never be realized until the act 
of faith is applied to the promise. 

Jesus looked upon her with approval and said, "Daughter, be of 
good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole ; go in peace, and be 
whole of thy plague." What comfort and peace must have filled 
her heart as she realized that her body was healed of its affliction, 
and the smile of heaven was upon her. She was healed, and now 
Jesus said to her, "Be whole," which is equivalent to saying, "Keep 
healed." She had the obtaining faith, and now, through her con- 
fession and obedience, she had the promise of retaining faith. 
Some have lost their healing through a lack of complying with 
these conditions. Jesus would have us confess Him before men. 
He would have us tell the world how great things the Lord hath 
done for us, and had compassion on us. Mark 5 :19. 



GOD'S COVENANT WITH ISRAEL. 

Many of us are inchned to pass lightly by the days of the 
patriarchs and prophets in the study of divine healing, and thus fail 
to obtain the proper knowledge of its true foundation. The seed 
of the woman was to bruise the head of the serpent, and thus the 
blessings of redemption were to come upon the fallen race of 
Adam. The curse of sin and all its deathly power had now entered 
into the world, and the spiritual, physical, and moral nature of 
man had fallen under its baneful sway. This lamentable condition 
at once called for a provision of mercy from God. The remedy 
was promised, not only at the time of the fall, but when Abraham 
was called to go out, and become an example of faith to the world, 
Ave again see the promise of the seed, through whom all the 
families of the earth should be blessed. Because of the faith of 
Abraham, the favor of God at once rested upon him, and the fore- 
shadowings of redemption were clearly seen. He had the blessed 



MIN D AND FAIT H CU RE . 61 

privilege of communion with God in prayer, through which 
many favors were obtained, not only for himself but for others. 

Among these blessings we find divine healing. Abimelech was 
in need of help in this respect. "Abraham prayed unto God, and 
God healed Abimelech." But this instance, although by no 
means an unimportant one, will, under the present consideration, 
only serve as an introduction to this subject of divine healing in 
the covenant of God with Israel. The children of Abraham, 
according to the word of Crod, spent four hundred years in 
Egyptian slavery. Although this was an experience of great 
sorrow to them, and their years of suffering under the hand of 
a merciless tyrant, under the burdens of incessant toil and extreme 
hardship, were anything but conducive to health ; we might rightly 
judge that their circumstances as a whole were such as to produce 
the exact opposite. They no doubt often fell, and many died under 
this inhuman treatment, but we have no history to show us that any 
of them died under the power of iLgyptian disease. Generations 
of them passed away, according to the decree of God, "Unto dust 
shalt thou return," but the divine hand of protection was upon 
them. Physical health was a legacy of the Abrahamic descendants, 
and God in his mercy bestowed upon them this blessing through 
these dark years of bondage. There is one instance in their 
Egyptian history that we w411 notice here, which might be con- 
sidered by some as an exception. 

It was said of the patriarch Jacob, that Joseph heard that he 
was sick, but from what has already been shown of the favor of 
health, and what will be proved further on with reference to this 
matter, as well as the meaning of the Hebrew word from which 
the word sick is translated, we can truthfully affirm that this was 
nothing but the ordinary weakness of old age. It is also said of 
Jacob, that when he was dying he worshiped, leaning upon the 
top of his staff. Many other instances in connection with his 
death indicate what has been stated. The testimony of the mid- 
wives to King Pharaoh, concerning the Hebrew women in child- 
birth, adds much to prove the fact of special physical blessings 
upon them. They were "lively and not as the Egyptian women. ' 

The Psalmist in his recapitulation of the dealings of God with 
His people, says (Ps. 105:37), "He brought them forth also with 
silver and gold : and there was not one feeble person among their 
tribes." When we consider the immense number of two and one- 
half millions of men, women and children in this company, and 



62 DIVINE HEALING. 

not a feeble infant, nor aged one among them, we can but feel 
hushed in wonder and admiration, and ascribe this astounding 
fact to the purpose and design of Jehovah to teach us His will and 
power to heal and protect from disease those who are His. 

Why should it not be so? How could it be otherwise in the 
heart of our glorious Maker, whose inheritance is His people ? But 
there need be no questioning here ; we will pass on in the history 
of this people, to their remarkable deliverance through the Red 
Sea, into the wilderness of Shur to the waters of Marah. Here 
again we see a divine provision for their health. The bitter waters 
were made sweet,, and now we have reached what has long before 
been manifested toward them, unconditionally perhaps in a meas- 
ure, but now enacted into a statue and ordinance upon definite 
conditions, followed by the blessed covenant of the promise of 
healing. 

''If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord th^ 
God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear 
to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of 
these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians 
for I am the Lord that healeth thee." — Ex. 15 :26. Here we 
see the conditions of implicit obedience, without which none need 
expect God to keep His promise. This makes every one respon- 
sible. Obedience to God means health to Israel. 

We have no scriptural evidence that this covenant with an\ 
of its conditions has ever been revoked, but on the other hand, 
there is much to prove its perpetuity. In their Egyptian life they 
had been servants of men, and God did not require of them the 
strict obedience that He enjoins upon them now. From this 
time they are to serve none but God. This is strongly emphasized 
in a reassurance of this blessing of health. Ex. 33 :20, 25. "And ye 
shall serve the Lord your God.'' No idol of Egypt or Canaan could 
have a share in their worship, and none of the inhabitants of the 
land had any right to their service. Obedience and service to God 
was their whole duty. The promise further reads, "And He 
shall bless thy bread and thy water ; and I will take sickness away 
from the midst of thee." Consider well the magnitude of this 
double promise — food and health. As the water of Marah was 
blessed, so He promises to continue the same. The supply of 
their temporal needs was a responsibility that God had taken upon 
Himself. The promise was enough. Their part was to serve God. 
His part was to support and protect them. 



M IN D AN D FAIT H CURE . 63 

He did not promise to bless everything they might desire to 
eat and drink. He did not bless the flesh they lusted after in the 
wilderness, although because of their continual murmurings He 
sent it to them. So it is in the gospel dispensation ; there are 
many who profess to love God, whose appetites are depraved. 
They crave for food and drink such things as God will not bless. 
The instructions to Noah concerning things clean and unclean 
were not to be ignored by Israel. No one could expect God to 
bless anything outside these limits, neither can we consistently 
expect Him to bless anything to us for food that is unclean or un- 
healthful. While we are not under the restrictions of the law 
in this matter, yet we have no license to indulge any depraved 
or abnormal appetite. Let all apply to the cleansing blood of 
Christ for the removal of all such appetites, and then only eat 
and drink such things as are nourishing and wholesome. This is 
well worth the thoughtful and prayerful consideration of all. We 
are not restricted to any special diet, perhaps, but if we want 
God's blessings upon our food, and also want Him to take sickness 
away from the midst of us, we must carefully follow the directions 
of His counsel. 

We have the promise (1 Tim. 4:5) that our food will be 
sanctified by the word of God and prayer. This is sufficient 
authority upon the subject, as to what should be received. Some 
very unwisely affirm that we have the right to eat whatsoever is 
set before us, quoting 1 Cor. 10 :27, but if this reference and its 
context are carefully considered, it will be seen that the apostle 
refers to food offered to idols, and that to us an idol is nothing in 
the world. Under certain circumstances we are free to eat food 
which has been offered to idols, but it is also clearly stated (verse 
28) that under other circumstances we are forbidden to eat such 
food. There is nothing in God's word to sanction an indiscrimin- 
ate eating of every kind of food that is prepared. The word of 
God and prayer, as well as good judgment, should be our 
guide as to what we eat and drink. 

The promise of God is still sure to His people, 'T will bless thy 
bread and thy water,'' but this cannot be perverted into an extreme 
interpretation that would cover the scope of all the uijurious, abon;- 
inable, and disease-breeding stuff that enters into the diet of our 
modern and depraved epicureans. God will not heal such sinners. 
They may expect, not only all of the diseases of Egypt, but every 
other malady of the latest invention of Satan, to come upon them 



64 DIVIN E H E ALI^' G. 

until they are consumed. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or 
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." — 1 Cor. 10 :31. 
Following- carefully this blessed instruction, we may claim today 
the same as when God made it, the promise : "I will take sickness 
away from the midst of thee." Israel was carefully warned of the 
results of disobedience. It was necessary that they should have 
repeated assurances of the consequences, both of obedience and 
disobedience. 

Following on into Deut. 7 :15, we have the promise again, ''And 
the Lord will take away from thee all sicknesses." In Deut. 28 :58,G1 
we find another awful warning: ''Also every sickness, and every 
plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the 
Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed." — Ver. 61. In the 
marginal reference to this verse we find an expression throwing 
some light upon the source of these diseases, which adds to many 
scriptural proofs that they all ascend from the pit of destruction. 
It is only by the permission of God that they come upon man ; in 
the majority of cases (if not all) as a punishment for disobedience. 
If there are any exceptions to this rule in this gospel dispensation, 
we shall be glad to let such be fully persuaded in their own minds 
as to the cause of their affliction. 

At the dedication of the temple in the prayer of Solomon 
(2 Chron. 6:28-31) we see a provision for sickness, which is ac- 
cording to the health covenant. The life and death of Moses is a 
beautiful example of the divine blessings of this covenant. In this 
case we have the extraordinary experience of protection from the 
decline of old age. Crowded with the many responsibilities of his 
important position, the leader of that great host through forty 
years of wilderness life, no ordinary person could have survived ; 
but when God was through with Moses in this mortal sphere, he 
was still in the vigor of perfect health. It could not be imagined 
that he died of disease, for we read that he "was an hundred and 
twenty years old when he died ; his eye was not dim, nor his natural 
force abated." — Deut. 34 :7. 

We have another striking example of the same blessing in the 
testimony of faithful old Caleb. He had a heart to believe God. 
At Kadesh Barnea the whole camp of Israel rose up in rebelhon 
and withstood Caleb and Joshua, and through unbelief forfeited 
their right to enter Canaan, but Caleb wholly followed the Lord, 
and he Vv^as assured by divine promise that he should possess the 
land where previously his feet had trodden as a spy. He also 



MIND A N D FAIT H CU RE . 65 

passed through the forty years of wilderness journey, but the 
blessing of the health covenant was upon him. Forty-five years 
later when Canaan had been reached, and a number of the 
enemies driven out, a stalwart, vigorous old man speaks to Joshua, 
and reminds him of the promise that God had made through 
Moses concerning himself, "And now," says Caleb, "behold, the 
Lord hath kept me alive, as He said, these forty and five years, 
even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the child- 
ren of Israel wandered in the wilderness : and now, lo, I am this 
day four score and five years old. As yet, I am as strong this day 
as I was in the day that Moses sent me : as my strength was then, 
even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come 
in."— Josh. 14:10, 11. 

This faithful servant was true to God, and therefore obtained 
the promise. Doubtless through long years of hardships, as he 
beheld on his right hand and on his left, his brethren fall from 
the ranks because of disobedience, he had many an occasion 
to test the promise: "I am the Lord that healeth thee," but here 
he stands now, a living monument of the truth of that covenant. 
Thank God, it has not been changed, though more than three 
thousand years have passed and many generations have come 
and gone, who have proved the faithfulness of Jehovah Rophi. 

We see another occasion of this wonderful promise held up 
before the people, m Isa. 58 :8. They had forsaken the Lord 
and through many outward demonstrations of penance for their 
sins were making their attempts to get back to God. The prophet 
points them to the commandments and ordinances of God and 
says, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine 
health shall spring forth speedily." Nothing could take the 
place of true obedience, which is the God-appointed means of 
obtaining His favor. 

David had experiences of sickness and healing. In Psalm 6 :2 
he prays, "Have mercy upon me, O Lord ; for I am weak : O Lord, 
heal me ; for my bones are vexed." Again, we hear him rejoice in 
answered prayer. "I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou has lifted 
me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord 
my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me." — Ps 30 :1, 2. 
And again (Ps. 103 :2, 3), "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget 
not all His benefits : who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth 
all thy diseases." He also testifies of the blessings of healing upon 
the people. "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered 
them from their destructions." — Ps. 107 :20. 



66 DiriXEHEALIXG. 

During the reign of King Hezekiah, after the people had 
been in an idolatrous condition for a long period under preceding 
rulers, they repented and came back to God. The king prayed 
for them, and "the Lord barkened to Hezekiah, and healed the 
people." — 2 Chron. 30 :20. 

Hezekiah's personal experience also bears testimony of the 
glorious provision of God's healing favor. Although the word 
of God had gone forth that he should die and not live, the suffer- 
ing ruler turned his face to the wall and with great weeping 
presented his case to the Healer of his people. He could not come 
with any personal merit, but he had a clear conscience, and 
to the best of his ability had Avalked before God with a perfect 
heart, and had done that which was right. He had fulfilled all the 
conditions of the health covenant, and had a perfect right now to 
expect God to be his healer. This might be called a test case. 
Here was a faithful servant of God who was sick unto death. 
His condition was indeed a perplexing one. As he felt himself 
sinking lower and lower, and the icy hand of death grasping 
tightly upon him, claiming him for his victim, he must have had 
serious thoughts as to the meaning of the words of the covenant 
which God had made to Israel, "T am the Lord that healeth 
thee.'"" And now the sad announcement of his immediate death 
is made by the messenger of God. 

Oh, what thoughts of anxiety must have passed through his 
mind. Can it be possible? He who had granted so many signal 
evidences of His tender care, and healed all in the past who lived in 
obedience to His word ; will He now in this sad hour of extreme 
need forsake one who has done all that was required of him? Xo, 
That word, which is much more sure than the foundations of the 
heavens, must be fulfilled. As the king pours out his heart to Him 
whose eyes are over the righteous and whose ears are open co 
their prayers, the message comes to him from the prophet, " I have 
heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears : behold, I will heal thee ; 
. . . and I will add unto thy days fifteen years."' Although 
severely tested, he received more perhaps than he had asked. 
Praise God, this is according to His mercy. The covenant He 
made with His people cannot be broken. The examples of this 
are sufficient. 

We will not occupy the space here for more than a passing 
notice of Job in his long trial of sickness, his wonderful deliver- 
ance from this captivity, upon praying for his friends, and his 
triumphant death, being old and full of days. 



MIND A N D F AIT E CURE. 67 

Thus we clearly perceive by all that God hath wrought upon 
His people during this period of history that healing was His 
purpose and good-will from the beginning. No thoughtful mind 
upon this subject could for a moment admit that God is any the 
less concerned in the health of His obedient people in this dispen- 
sation of more perfect and glorious spiritual blessings. While 
healing produces its effects directly upon the physical man, it i:-^ 
strictly a spiritual blessing, and is never received without precious 
spiritual manifestations. Therefore, if we had no other evidence 
of the will of God toward His people than that of the days before 
Christ, we have suft'icient and in every sickness could securely 
repose upon the promise of God to Israel, 'T am the Lord that 
healeth thee;" for ''if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, 
and heirs according to the promise." — Gal. 3 :29. 




T 



*^^tf^- 






HEALTH, 

MAl»mEftS,VOICE, 
/ TASTING,6MELLINa 
llEAmNG,FEELIN€, 
SEEING, DIGESTION, \ 
GOD, CHRI5T, RELIGION, 
E4MILY, PRAYER, GRACE, 
LOVE, INHERITAKCE,TRUTH, 
SPIRIT, MANHOOD, INTELLIGENCE, 
GOOD, STRENGTH, RIGHT, GOODNESS, 
GENTLENESS, JOY, FAITH, MEEKNESS, 
/EMFERANCE, KINDNESS, BROTHERLY LOVE 
HOPE . CHARITY, PEACE OE MIND, HAPPINESS 
HOLINESS, CHARACTER, HARMONY, EOVING 
■-mr. JUDGEMENT, WISDOM. IiNO\¥LEI>Gfi 
. h. M!MP, FELLOWSHIP, LIBESTY^ 
'■■-"'■" ■■ '"■ *> „ HUMILITY, .^^ ' 

TATION. 






THOU PREPARKST A TABLE BEFORE ME 



M IN D AN D FAIT H GU RE . 71 

THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE 
PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES. 

(psA. 23:5.) 

Reader, God has set a table before you and asks you to help 
yourself. Do you do it? If you have lost a part of your inherit- 
ance, stretch forth your hand and help yourself. The table is 
loaded down with the very best things that heaven can afford. You 
will find on that table the very things that you have lost. Have 
you lost Christ ? If so, stretch forth your hand and help yourself. 

Tell me where you lost the company of Christ, and I will tell 
you the most likely place to find Him. Have you lost Christ in 
the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there you must 
seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ by sin? You will 
find Christ in no other way but by the giving up of the sin and 
seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust 
doth dwell. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the scriptures ? You 
must find Christ in the scriptures. It is a true proverb, "Look for 
a thing where you dropped it ; it is there." So look for Christ where 
you lost Him, for He has not gone away. 

If you have lost Christ, stretch forth your hand and help your- 
self. You will find Christ in the midst of the table surrounded 
by all the graces and blessings that God can bestow on Flis child- 
ren. You inherited from your creation health, beauty, strength, 
life, truth, God, love, mind, spirit, soul, intelligence, good, right. 
Have you lost any of your inheritance ? If so, stretch forth your 
hand and help yourself. You inherited a sound mind ; a good 
memory ; a good stomach ; good digestion ; a good, pure heart ; 
good kidneys ; good bladder ; good eyes ; good ears ; good, pure 
undefiled mouth; a good, healthy body. Have you lost any ol 
this inheritance ? If so, stretch forth your hand and help yourself. 
The table is loaded down with all these things you have lost. 
Have you lost family prayer ? Have you lost grace and the thanks 
you used to offer God before partaking of the food that He has so 
bountifully supplied you? Have you lost that spiritual power 
that you once had that enabled you to visit the sick and to minister 
to the wants of the widows and orphans, and not forget that poor 
widow upon the hill, that is sick nigh unto death, with a lot of 



72 D IT IX E H E AL IX G . 

little children almost naked, starving and freezing, no fuel to 
warm them and not a morsel of food in the house? Do as you 
used to do. Go to the grocery store and order a lot of provisions 
sent up, also a load of coal ; and shortly after that follow with your 
Bible and read God's word to that dying woman, and then kneel 
down and offer up a prayer to God in her behalf, and you will make 
the very courts of heaven ring. If you have lost any of these gifts 
of God, stretch forth your hand and help yourself. When you 
pray to God in any way, know that you will receive the results not 
only in the affirmation but in the demands as well. Then realize 
this : when you want anything you do not ask God to give it. AA^hy, 
you already had it given to you by your charter rights. AMien 
you were created and given power, God gave you all these things 
and they all belong to you. God said, "Let us make man in our 
image, after our likeness, and let him have dominion over the 
fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle and 
over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth 
upon the earth." God did then and there give man dominon over 
everything, and by his charter rights he has inherited everything 
he needs. When he loses any of his inheritance, all he has to do is 
to stretch forth his hand and help himself. The idea that is held 
out, that this one or that one is more favored by God than some 
others, is false. If some persons have more power with God than 
others, it is because they have feasted more from God's table. 
Brother, stretch forth your hand and help yourself. Don't be 
afraid; there is plenty for all. \\> are all God's children, created 
in His image and in His likeness, endowed with all power and aii 
dominion, and we all have it. If you have lost any of your inherit- 
ance, stretch forth your hand and help yourself. Every child of 
God should be diligent in seeking out and claiming his inheritance. 
Let us not be slack to go over and possess the land. There are 
great walls to be thrown down and fenced cities to be taken, and 
great giants to be destroyed, but our God will thrust out the enemy 
before us and give us full possession of the land. The inhabitants 
are too strong for us, but not for our God. He is the Lord, our 
healer. Dear sufferer, take courage : be strong, fear not. 
Strengthen thine heart, the land of salvation and healing is yours. 
Go in and possess it in Jesus' name and all of your diseases will 
flee before you, as you put Jesus up against them. Behold thy 
Healer. 




THE TREE OF LIFE. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 75 

THE TREE OF LIFE. 

(rev. 22:2.) 

"And the leaves were for the heahng of the nations." 
There is but one cure for the nations — the leaves of the tree. 
There grows no healing herb but the one plant of renown. There 
is one Sacred Fountain. To wash therein is health. There is but 
one. It was opened on Calvary. There is one Great Physician, 
who lays His hands on men and they are restored. There is no balm 
in Gilead. There is no physician there. The balm is at the cross. 
The Physician is at the right hand of God. Jesus is pictured 
here as a blessed tree whose leaves heal the nations. It is said 
of the blessed in the first Psalm : '' His leaf also shall not wither." 
God takes care of the little things — the trifles of believers. And 
here of our Lord, it is said, the leaves are for the healing of the 
nations. That is to say even His common things. His lower 
boons of grace are full of virtue. Many know but very little about 
Jesus Christ, but if they believe on Him, that little heals them. How 
very few of us know much of our Lord. Some only know that 
He came into the world to save sinners. I wish that they knew 
more, so that they could feed upon the fruits of the Tree of Life, 
but even to know that is salvation to them, for the leaves heal the 
nations. The touch of His hand opened deaf ears. The spittle of 
His lips enlightened blind eyes. The look of His eye softened 
hard hearts. The humblest and most timid faith in Jesus Christ 
will save. If you have but a mustard seed of faith you are saved. 
She who in the press touched but the hem of the Savior's garment 
found the virtue flowed out of Him and came to her. Pluck a leaf 
of this tree by thy poor trembling faith, and if thou dost not take 
more than that, yet shall it make thee whole. There is not a word 
that ever fell from those dear lips of Jesus but what bears healing 
in it for some one or other of the thousand ills that have befallen 
our humanity. It is a sweet thing to get even a broken text from 
His mouth. A word of His, being His, and recognized as His, 
and coming home to the heart as His, brings healing to head and 
heart. A leaf of the Tree of Life is a medicine fitted to raise the 
dead. Do you not know its power by a joyful experience? Blessed 
be God ! some of us know it right well, and can bear glad wit- 
ness to its matchless power. Then, too, this medicine heals all 



76 DIVINE HEALING. 

sorts of diseases. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of 
the nations. It does not say of this or that malady, but by its 
silence it teaches us that the medicine is universal in its curative 
power. Take this medicine, then, dear friends, to any man, who- 
ever he may be, and let it be applied by the spirit of God, and it 
will heal him of whatsoever disease he has, because the gospel 
strikes at the root of all diseases. Truly it exercises power over all 
the different branches of the tree of life, but it does so by laying the 
ax at the root, for it deals with sin, the sin of unbelief, the sin of 
not loving God. And dealing with this it removes thereby the 
various forms in which spiritual disease develops itself in human 
life. No medicine can ever heal all maladies unless it eradicates 
the root of the evil and creates a fountain of health. It goes to 
the root of the matter, operates upon the heart and purifies the 
issues of life. Human precepts and methods of morality lop the 
boughs, but leave the trunk of the deadly tree untouched. But 
this hits the top, roots and tears away the evil growth from beneath 
the soil. For this course it is able to remove all diseases. This 
medicine heals disease because it searches into the innermost na- 
ture. Some medicines are only for the skin, others will only touch 
a few organs, and those not vital, but the leaves of the gospel tree, 
when taken as a medicine, penetrate the veins and search the 
heart. Their searching operations divide between the joint and 
the marrow, and discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. 
A wondrous medicine this. It searches the soul through and 
through, and never ceases its operations till it has purged the entire 
manhood of every relic of sin and made it completely clean. Lord, 
give us these leaves ! Lord, give us these leaves continually. These 
leaves prevent the recurrence of disease by enabling the man hence- 
forth to find good in all that comes to him. A person's diseases, if 
healed, may by the food which he shall afterwards receive bring- 
on the disease again. Place a man under certain conditions which 
cause him an illness. You may heal him, but if you had him 
back to those conditions he would soon be ailing again. And here 
in such a world as this, even if Christ healed us to-day, we should 
be sick to death to-morrow if the medicine had not some wondrous 
continuance of power, and so it is, for all things that come to us 
after conversion are changed because we are changed. All things 
work together for good to them that love God, to them that are 
the called according to his purpose. Have we earthly joy? We 
no longer have it, but it points us to God, the Giver. Have we 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 77 

earthly sorrow ? We dare not despair because of it, for we know 
who has ordained it. Why should a child of God complain who 
knows that there is love in every chastening stroke of his Father's 
rod? What we once called good is now really good to us, for 
the leaves of the tree of life are an infallible antidote. This won- 
drous medicine abides in the system as a source of health. The 
waters that I give him shall be in him a well of water springing 
up into everlasting life. Other medicine taken into the system acts 
in its own matter and there is an end to it, but this abides. These 
healing leaves charge the life-blood, affect the spirits, and make the 
nature other than it was before. Yonder in heaven those faces 
which look so bright and comely, fresher than new-born babes, owe 
their freshness to these healing leaves, and so until the glory life 
begins, the abiding power of the healing leaves keeps the soul of 
the believer in perpetual health, and will keep him so world without 
end. This gospel heals nations wherever the nations may be, 
and readily heals them of the direct miseries and the blackest 
crimes. It is the sure cure for poverty, by making men wise and 
economical. It is the sure cure for poverty, teaching men to love 
their fellows and respect the rights of all. It is the cure for 
drunkenness, weaning the drunkard from his filthy appetite, saving 
him from the spell which binds him. This same remedy will like- 
wise heal and restore the opium fiend and the slave to the tobacco 
habit. This gospel is the only preventive for war. We shall need 
no blood-red soldiery when once the warriors of the cross have 
won the day. This is the cure for those foul evils which are the 
curse of our social economics, which human laws too often in- 
crease instead of remove. This shall purge us from every form 
of knavery, rebellion and discontent, and this only. God grant 
that its healing influences may drop upon the nations thick as 
leaves in the jungles of Africa, till that golden age shall dawn 
in which the world shall be the abode of moral health. These 
words to close with: Are you sick this morning? Take these 
leaves freely. Are you very sick? The stronger is the reason 
why you should take them. You are sinful. Past guilt troubles 
you. Take the leaves again and again. Worse than that. Temp- 
tations to evil afflict you. Then feed on the purging leaves as 
long as you live and they will prove an antidote. You need not 
think that you will exhaust the merit or power of Christ, for if 
the fruit is described as coming twelve times in the year, how 
abundant must the leaves be. There is enough in Christ for every 



78 D lYIN E H EALIN G. 

sin-sick sinner. If the sinner do but come to Jesus he shall find 
no stint in Jesus' healing power. Though the sick soul be full of 
leprosy the Savior is full of grace. Put forth thy finger, sister, 
and touch the hem of Jesus' garment. Now lift thine eye, sinner, 
look to Christ on the cross. Though He seem far away from thee, 
there is life in a glance. However dim the eye or distant the view, 
come to this tree. Its very leaves will heal thee. Last of all. Are 
you healed? Well, then, scatter these leaves. Are you saved? 
Speak of Jesus Christ to everybody, for the heart that is fitted 
for communion is a hungering and thirsting heart. Let us learn 
from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord 
Jesus. When she went to His sepulchre she sought Him with very 
great boldness. The disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they 
trembled and were amazed, but Mary, it is said, stood at the sepul- 
chre. If you would have Christ with you, seek Him boldly. Let 
nothing hold you back. Press on where others flee. She sought 
Christ faithfully. She stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard 
to stand by a living Savior, but she stood by a dead one. Let us 
seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that 
has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others should 
forsake Him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly. She 
stood weeping. Those tears dropping were as spells that led the 
Savior captive, and made Him come forth and show Himself 
to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep for it. If you cannot 
be happy unless He come and say to you, Thou art my beloved, 
you will soon hear His voice. Lastly, she sought the Savior only. 
What cared she for angels. She turned herself back from them. 
Her search was only for the Lord. If Christ be your one and 
only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack 
the comfort of His presence. I want always to imitate Simon's 
action, when he took the Redeemer altogether into his arms and 
said, " Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace."' 
There was a long distance between Simon with the Son of the 
Highest in his arms and the woman who touched the hem of the 
Master's garment, yet both have gone to heaven. And there 
is a good way between the Christian who can embrace a whole 
Christ and a poor, timid one who can only tremblingly hope in Him. 
If you cannot tell others all about Christ and give them the fruit 
of the tree, go and give them the leaves. 




^%\^ 









THE DUMB MAN POSSESSED OF A DEVIL HEALED AT CAPERNAUM. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 81 

THE DUMB MAN POSSESSED OF A DEVIL HEALED 
AT CAPERNAUM. 

(MATTHEW 9:32-33.) 

"As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man 
possessed with a devil. 

''And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake : and the 
multitudes marvelled, saying. It was never so seen in Israel." 

Jesus' hand can cool the heat of my burning brow, and stay 
the tumult of my palpitating heart. That glorious right hand 
which moulded the world can new-create my mind ; the un- 
wearied hand which bears the earth's huge pillars up can sustain 
my spirit; the loving hand which encloses all the saints can 
cherish me; and the mighty hand which breaketh in pieces the 
enemy can subdue my sins. Why should I not feel that hand 
touching me this evening? Come, sinner, address thy God with 
the potent plea, that Jesus' hands were pierced for thy redemp- 
tion, and thou shalt surely feel that same hand upon thee which 
once touched Daniel and set him upon his knees that he might 
see visions of God. 

Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to 
furnish fresh standpoints from which we may view the loveliness 
of Jesus ; how amiable are our trials, when they carry us aloft 
where we may gain clearer views of Jesus than ordinary life can 
afford us ! We have seen Him from the top of Amana, from the 
top of Shenir and Hermon, and He has shone upon us as the 
sun in His strength ; but we have seen Him also "from the lions' 
dens from the mountains of the leopards," and He has lost none 
of His loveliness. From the languishing of a sick bed, from the 
borders of the grave, have we turned our eyes to our soul's 
Spouse, and He has never been otherwise than "all fair." Many 
of His saints have looked upon Him from the gloom of dungeons, 
and from the red flames of the stake, yet have they never uttered 
an ill word of Him, but have died extolling His surpassing 
charms. Oh, noble and pleasant employment to be forever gazing 
at our sweet Lord Jesus ! Is it not unspeakably delightful to view 
the Savior in all His offices, and to perceive Him matchless in 
each? — to shift the kaleidoscope, as it were, and to find fresh 



82 D IT ly E H E ALiy G. 

combinations of peerless graces ? In the manger and in eternity, 
on the cross and on His throne, in the garden and in His king- 
dom, among thieves or in the midst of cherubim. He is ever\- 
where "altogether lovely." Examine carefullv everv little act oi 
His life, and every trait of His character, and He is as lovely in 
the minute as in the majestic. Judge Him as. you will, you cannot 
censure ; weigh Him as you please, and He will not be found 
wanting. Eternity shall not discover the shadow of a spot in 
our Beloved, but. rather, as ages revolve. His hidden glories shall 
shine forth with yet more inconceivable splendor, and His un- 
utterable loveliness shall more and more ravish all celestial mind?. 

THE HEALIXG OF TEX LEPERS. 
(LUKE i: :11-14.) 

"And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He 
passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 

"And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten 
men that were lepers, which stood afar oft : 

"And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, ^Master, have 
mercy on us. 

*'And when Tie saw tliein, He said unto them. Go shew your- 
selves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as the\- 
went, they were cleansed. 

"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned 
back, and with a loud voice glorified God. 

"And fell upon his face, at His feet, giving Him thanks: and 
he was a Samaritan. 

"And Jesus answering, said, Were there not ten cleansed? 
but where are the nine ? 

"There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save 
this stranger. 

"And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way : thy faith hath 
made thee whole." 

Dear reader, this book was mainly intended for the edification 
of believers ; but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns for you ; 
and we would say a word which may be blessed to you. Open 
your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their po- 
sition, which was much the same as yours. If you remain 
Avhere vou are you must perish ; if you go to Jesus you can but 
die. "Xothing venture, nothing win," is the old proverb, and in 



M IX D AN D F AIT H CU RE . 83 

your case the venture is no great one. If you sit still in sullen 
despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes ; but if you 
die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would 
be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse 
to look to Jesus ; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved 
who believe in Him, for certain of your own acquaintances have 
received mercy: then why not you? The Ninevites said, "Who 
can tell?" Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord's mercy. 
To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, 
the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out 
your hand. We have thus been talking to you on your own unbe- 
lieving ground ; we would now assure you, as from the Lord, 
that if you seek Him He will be found of you. Jesus casts out 
none who come unto Him. You shall not perish if you trust 
Him ; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the 
poor lepers gathered in Syria's deserted camp. May the Holy 
Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in 
vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to 
others. Hold not your peace ; tell the King's household first, and 
unite with them in fellowship ; let the porter of the city, the 
minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the 
good news in every place. The Lord save thee ere the sun goes 
down this day. 



THE LEPER. 

Jesus, if still Thou art today. 
As yesterday, the same — 

Present to heal — in me display 
The virtue of Thy name. 

Now, Lord, to whom for help I call, 

Thy miracles repeat ; 
With pitying eyes behold me fall 

A leper at thy feet. 

Loathsome, and vile, and self-abhorr'd 
I sink beneath my sin ; 

But, if Thou wilt, a gracious word 
Of Thine can make me clean. 





^ 



HEALING OF THE BLIND. 



M I X D A N D F AI T H CUR E . 87 

THE HEALING OF TWO BLIND MEN AT JERICHO. 
(matt. 20:29-34.) 

"And as thev departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed 
Him. 

"And behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they 
heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, 
O Lord, thou Son of David. 

"And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold 
their peace : but they cried the more, saying. Have mercy on us, 
O Lord, thou Son of David. 

"And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said. What will 
ye that I shall do unto you? 

"They say unto Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 

"So Jesus had compassion oil tliem, and touched their eyes : and 
immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him." 

What a comfort to know that we have a great Physician who 
is both able and willing to heal us ! Let us think of Him a while 
to-night. His cures are very speedy — there is life in a look at 
him ; His cures are radical — He strikes at the center of the 
disease ; and hence his cures are sure and certain. He 
never fails, and the disease never returns. There is no relapse 
where Christ heals ; no fear that His patients should be merely 
patched up for a season ; He makes new men of them ; a new 
heart also does He give them, and a right spirit does He put 
within them. He is well skilled in all diseases. Physicians gen- 
erally have some specialite. Although they may know a little 
about almost all our pains and ills, there is usually one disease 
which they have studied above all others : but Jesus Christ is 
thoroughly acquainted with the whole of human nature. He 
is as much at home with one sinner as with another, and never 
yet did he meet with an out of the way case that was difficult to 
Him. He has had extraordinary complications of strange diseases 
to deal with, but He has known exactly with one glance of His 
eye how to treat the patient. He is the only universal doctor ; and 
the medicine He gives is the only true catholicon, healing in every 
instance. Whatever our spiritual malady may be, we should 
apply at once to this Divine Physician. There is no brokenness of 
heart which Jesus cannot bind up. "His blood cleanseth from all 



88 DIVINE HEALING. 

sin." We have but to think of the myriads who have been de- 
Hvered from all sorts of diseases through the power and virtue 
of His touch, and we shall joyfully put ourselves in His hands. 



THE BLIND RECEIVE THEIR SIGHT. 

"And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed 
Him, crying, and saying. Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 
And when He was come into the house, the blind men came unto 
him, and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do 
this ? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then touched He their eyes, 
saying, According to your faith, be it unto you. And their eyes 
were opened."— Matt. 9 :27-30. 

Let us look into this interesting narrative for help as we 
come to Jesus for healing. Do you not think, dear blind brother 
or sister, that if you had been with these two men as they called 
upon the Son of David for help, you would have lifted your voice 
with them, and could have believed that He was able to do this for 
you as well as for them ? Certainly you would, and you have just 
as good a right to your sight as they had. Let me ask you a 
question. Do you think you have as much faith as they had? 
If you have not, you may have. If we notice how much they 
had, we can see if we are upon the same plane with them. Their 
faith can be measured by their answer to Jesus. He asked 
them: "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" Their answer 
was the indication of the measure of their faith: "Yea, Lord." 
Now there was nothing very extraordinary about this, was there ?* 
You believe the same, without the shadow of a doubt. Who 
would dare to say that Jesus is not able to open the eyes of the 
blind? Some poor doubting professors might make such an 
assertion, but such should not dare call themselves Christians. 

But you believe He is able nozv, as when He was here on 
earth among men. Thank God, this is not hard for any of us 
to believe ; but there is something more to do than this. These 
blind men believed also that He was willing. Here is where 
many of us fail to measure up to them. We are constantly crying 
to Him, "If it be Thy will." These men did not do this. Sup- 
pose they should have cried, "Thou Son of David, if it be thy 



MIYD AND FAITH CURE. 89 

will, have mercy on us." It might have been possible at that 
time, when the gospel was not fully understood by the people, 
that Jesus would have said in plain words. It is My will, and 
healed them anyway ; but they did not ask in such a doubting man- 
ner. The news of His great compassion toward sinful and suffering 
mortals, had been published abroad. This could be none other 
than Him of whom the prophets did foretell. He was to take 
our infirmities and to bear our sicknesses. Yes, He was to be 
the son of David. He was to do the very work that is now 
being done. The eyes of the blind were to be opened (Isa. 35 :5 ; 
Luke 4:18), and now these poor men who had long been groping- 
in darkness, felt that their moment of deliverance had come. 
The promised and long-looked-for Redeemer is here. When they 
called upon the Son of David, they did so in a living faith. He 
must be willing, for this is one of the prophetic characteristics 
of the Messiah. Yes, they believed He was willing, fully as much 
as that He was able, and why should not we? This very incident 
alone should be a sufficient evidence to us of His willingness, even 
if there should be none other to be found in His sacred ministry. 
This one was enough to fulfill the prophecies concerning the 
opening of the eyes of the blind. How could they be more literally 
fulfilled? 

We must also believe the prophets, for they testify of the 
Christ. God spoke to our fathers by the prophets (Heb, 1 :1, 2), 
but now speaks to us by His Son. If the words of the prophets 
were sufficient foundations for the faith of these blind men, how^ 
much more should the words, life, and ministry of Jesus be a 
foundation for our faith ! All these prove equally His power and 
willingness to open the eyes of the blind and to heal all diseases. 
To doubt His will is really doubting His word, for His word is 
His will. This may not seem clear without careful reflection. 
Jesus was the word made flesh. Jno. 1 :14. Every w^ord and 
deed of His life Avas the spoken word of God ; irrevocable through 
this gospel dispensation. Jesus, therefore, was and is the ex- 
pressed will of God to us. What He ever did do in forgiving sins, 
and healing diseases, He is able and willing to do now. It would 
be well for every one who may not yet have settled this matter 
satisfactorily, to wait upon God in prayerful study of His word, 
until His will is thoroughly manifested and faith can rest upon 
the living promises. It is marvelous that God has been able to 
heal any one in this age of doubt. 



90 D IT I^E H E ALIX G . 

Let us no more permit the if to come between us and Jesus 
when asking for heahng, or anything else so plainly expressed in 
the plan of redemption, but with the simple faith of these blmd 
men, who knew the will of this compassionate Deliverer, call 
upon Him for help. It is the divine law of faith to ask, seek, and 
knock ; to receive, find, and gain admittance. And if will hinder 
the perfect work of faith, just as a break in the wire will hinder 
the flow of the current of electricity. We must become perfectly 
assured of what the will of God is, then accept it once for ali. 

Frequently, one says, "I have been praying for years for my 
sight, or healing, and have not obtained it." Dear seeker, let 
me ask you to turn again in prayerful study to this incident of 
the healing of these blind men. Their faith was definite. They 
were now in His presence and had the confidence that their 
petition was recognized, but this was not all ; they were not yet 
satisfied. Nothing but their sight could ever cause them to go 
their way in peace. We might say they should have been content 
to be in His presence. This was truly a glorious privilege, but 
it was not enough. They were believing for more. Had they 
not been, they might well have considered themselves highly 
favored to be in the same house with Jesus and to hear His 
gracious words. 

A heart of faith never forgets to be thankful for blessings 
already received, but it is also thankful for those that are yet 
unseen, which it holds in the promise ; for what is faith but the 
"evidence of things not seen." It can rejoice in these things 
obtained, but it does not rest content here. It stands securely and 
unshaken upon the promise with rejoicing, but from this vantage 
ground it reaches beyond, and lays hold upon the Promiser and 
obtains the fulfillment of the promise. These men had the faith 
for their sight, which brought them into the presence of Jesus, 
where the object of their faith must now be obtained. 

Had Jesus manifested any indifference to their request at this 
point of this incident, there doubtless would have been a continua- 
tion of their cries, and even more; since they were now in His 
presence, there would have been an experience similar to the one 
of Jacob at Peniel, had their request been delayed. Jesus knew 
this, and it was impossible for Him to do anything else than 
what He did. Many of God's afflicted fail in this respect. They 
are saved and enjoying much spiritual life; they may be baptized 
with the Holy Spirit, living continually in the very presence of 



MIXD A\D FAITH CURE. 91 

Jesus ; but they do not appropriate the promise for heaUng. They 
do not definitely claim a definite experience, even though assured 
that He is able, willing, and present to heal. They too often are 
constrained to believe that they could not contain more, or could 
not glorify God with their healing, or should be satisfied with their 
lot if it be His will. Others become bewildered if their faith 
shall not at once obtain the visible result, and they faint by the 
way. They fall from a state of active faith, into a passive one in 
which they dismiss the subject from their minds, and live along 
in some future hope. They even lose their enjoyment in reading the 
promises for healing, and have no interest in hearing the doctrine 
taught. No wonder they are not healed. 

The definite faith of these blind men brought the definite touch 
of healing from the loving hand of Jesus. 



"THEN TOUCHED HE THEIR EYES, 

saying. According to your faith, be it unto you." You see how 
their faith measured his power to do for them, and their eyes were 
opened. All this was only according to their faith. It 
saw in Him the Son of David, it caused them to cry out 
for mercy, to follow Him even into the house, believed He was 
able and willing, received His touch, and their sight. 




IN THE VILLAGES THE SICK WERE BROUGHT UNTO HIM. 



M IN D AN D FAI T H CU RE . 95 

IN THE VILLAGES THE SICK WERE BROUGHT UNTO 

HIM. 

(mark 6 :55-5G.) 

" And ran through that whole region round about, and 
began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard 
He was. 

" And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or 
country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that 
they might touch, if it were but the border of His garment ; and 
as many as touched Him, were made whole." 

God not only heals the sick, but He heals everything. If you 
will only take Him into your confidence and walk with Him, He 
will take you by the hand and walk with you up the steps to eternal 
happiness, eternal peace, and not only destroy inharmony of health, 
but inharmony of every conceivable character. He will fill you 
with love and strew your pathway with flowers ; He will give you 
sunshine to walk in ; He will bless you and bless you ; He will go 
with you in the daytime and in the night, and nothing can come 
near you, around you or about you, but God Almighty's love, if 
you will only come to Jesus Christ and acknowledge these things. 

''He healeth all our diseases." He who made man can restore 
man ; He who was at first the creator of our nature can now re- 
create it. What a transcendent comfort it is that in the person of 
Jesus "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" ! Reader, 
whatever thy disease may be, this great Physician can heal thee. If 
He be God, there can be no limit to His power. Come, then, with 
the blind eye of darkened understanding, come with the limping 
foot of wasted energy, come with the maimed hand of weak faith, 
the fever of an angry temper, or the ague of shivering despond- 
ency, come just as thou art, for He who is God can certainly restore 
thee of thy plague. None shall restrain the healing virtue which 
proceeds from Jesus our Lord. Legions of devils have been made 
to. own the power of the beloved Physician, and never once has He 
been baffled. All His patients have been cured in the past, and shall 
be in the future, and thou shalt be one among them, my friend, if 
thou wilt but rest thyself in Him this night. 



96 D IV IN E H E AL IN G . 



HEALTH WITHOUT DRUGS, DIVINE HEALING. 

Divine healing, mind and faith cure, is a gift granted by God. 
God heals diseases through many different agencies. 

God heals diseases through faith. If we want a blessing from 
God, nothing can fetch it down but faith. Prayer cannot draw- 
down answers from God's throne except it be the earnest prayer of 
the man who believes. Faith is the angel messenger between the 
soul and the Lord Jesus in glory. Without faith how can we re- 
ceive anything of the Lord. 

Faith is essential, but not all the requisites. Works must be 
annexed to faith to use God's combination cure. 

Some divine healers rely entirely on the invisible agencies in- 
voked by prayer and fail to apply works. That's why they fail to 
cure. If you have a dislocated limb dangling in the air, a mis- 
placed spinal column, a twisted vertebra, an impinged nerve and 
blood vessel obstructed by a misplaced bone shutting off its circu- 
lation, you might pray a thousand years and not remove it, and 
your patient suffer all the while. 

Christ said. "Works and faith" must go together ; now that's 



DIVINE HEALING. 

Y^ou must remove the cause if it is physical, the prayer and God 
will do the rest. 

When a man has a broken leg, don't falsify, deceive and tell the 
victim God and prayer alone will straighten it, and make him a 
cripple all his life, but apply your hands (which is meant by Christ 
as works), and add your faith and you will set that broken, ill- 
shaped, distorted leg, and God will knit it up, and the party will 
have a good-shaped limb again, and bless God for it. 



THAT'S WHAT DIVINE HEALING DOES. 

Divine healing recognizes kneading — manipulating and mas- 
saging in their place ; osteopathy in dislocation and all the various 
forms of diseases; hydropathy (that is, water) in its place; prayer 



M I X D A N D F A IT H C U RE . 97 

and faith in their places ; good foods, fresh air, pure water and 
blessed sunshine in their places. Divine healing is the administer- 
ing (properly) of all means of cure. Its one great object is to 
cure the afflicted. It advocates the recognition of God's spirit in all 
healing arts, because God puts the healing virtue wherever it 
exists. 



DIVINE HEALING, MIND AND FAITH CURE. 

Divine healing should be free. This is a question frequently 
asked : Is it right for Christian healers to charge for their ser- 
vices? People often refer to the fact that Jesus never charged 
anything for healing; that the gift of God was free. Jesus tells 
us that the laborer is worthy of his hire. Jesus never charged, yet 
it is true He had the purse, that is to say, that His chosen 
disciples were to look after His finances and one of them carried 
the purse. When Jesus was asked for money to pay His taxes to 
Caesar, He did not have any money, but told His disciple to go and 
cast a net into the sea, and out of the mouth of the first fish he 
caught to take a piece of money with which to pay for Jesus and 
himself. I agree with them that no healer should charge for this 
gift of God, but he has a perfect right to charge for his time. They 
might just as well say that all professors and teachers in our col- 
leges and religious institutions should give their services free, and 
that all ministers of the gospel should work for nothing. They 
could not preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ if it was 
not a gift of God. They heal sin and I heal disease. We have to 
pay them for their time or they could not live and support their 
families. W^hy not be willing to pay me. I cannot live on air 
alone, as that is about all I get that is free. If I heal the sick and 
put them in shape to earn money, it is no more than right that they 
should pay me for my time. To those who apply to me for home 
treatment, I will furnish special advice and information how to 
proceed with the treatment, with full directions suitable to each 
case, as their disease or diseases may require, but the patient must 
send me a complete history of his case. This he must send at the 
same time he remits the money. Give all the symptoms and how 
long the patient has been afflicted, also give name of disease. Let 
it be distinctly understood that the foregoing is in the form of ad- 
vice given each individual case after a diagnosis of the case in 



98 DIVINE HE ALING. 

question. I charge for my time only, my expended energy in this 
advice, as it is the result of years of hard toil and research at a 
big expense. Divine healers are human beings like all other human 
being, therefore need the same sustenance. I have office rents to 
pay, employees to pay, and many other expenditures, and conse- 
quently I must charge for my time so as to have an income to 
enable me to carry on my business of healing the sick and reclaim- 
ing the sinner. I charge for home treatment ten dollars per 
month, in advance. If the afflicted will follow my directions strict- 
ly to the letter they will receive in return one hundred fold in bene- 
fits. We prefer that patients come direct to our Institute to take 
personal treatment. The treatment will have a more speedy effect, 
and a cure can be secured more quickly, especially with the unbe- 
lievers ; we can soon heal their unbelief. Distance, lack of means 
or strength to travel, need keep no one from securing relief as you 
can be treated at your own home, but it may take longer to effect 
a cure. I will not promise to cure everybody, for that is more than 
Christ did Himself, or at least we have no record of Christ healing 
any of the scribes and Pharisees, owing to their unbelief. Christ's 
apostles did not cure everybody they treated, owing to their unbe- 
lief. I do not want to misrepresent or hold out false inducements 
to get any one to send to me for treatment, and for that reason 
I will not solicit any one to apply to me for treatment. If they do, 
thev do so bv their own free will. 




THE LAME MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE. 



L.c^C- 



M IN D AN D FAIT H CU RE . 101 

THE LAME MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE. 

(acts 3:1-16.) ; 

In consideration of the acts of the apostles, we have the scrip- 
tural right to say that the second commission brings them into 
our present dispensation, and what was true and practical through 
faith in the name of Jesus in the days of Peter and John, is just as 
much so to-day. Jesus is absent in body, but He has given His 
name, and the Holy Spirit to abide forever, as the perpetual legacy 
of the church, through whose power it is the design of God that 
His people should be able to overcome every power of the en- 
emy. All who can go forth in the very name and nature of Jesus 
(which means to be in perfect union with Him, in every interest 
in life, and in love, so that His name will be everything to us, 
and therefore obtain everything for us) may expect Him to fulfill 
His promise : ''Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the 
world." 

This is the secret of this miracle of healing. Peter and John 
had been taught by the personal instruction of Jesus, and by the 
indwelling Holy Spirit, the value and power of the name of Jesus. 
By faith they could bring this power to bear upon every obstacle 
in their way. Nothing could stand before them. They were act- 
ing as the humble representatives of Jesus of Nazareth, and could 
be intrusted with the power of His name. Peter was not slow to 
make this plain to the people as they were amazed and perplexed 
at this supernatural manifestation among them. The God of 
Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath 
glorified His Son Jesus. ''And His name through faith in His 
name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know; yea, 
the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness 
in the presence of you all." — Ver. 16. When asked by the high 
priest, by what power or by what name they had done this won- 
derful deed, Peter again disavows any power of their own, 
saying, " Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, 
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, 
whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man 
stand here before you whole." — Acts 4 :10. 

They had no silver nor gold to give this poor man, as he lay 
begging at the gate of the temple, but they had something of 



102 DIVIDE HEALING. 

much greater value than silver or gold — the power, blessing, and 
glory of the name of Jesus. It has not only healing virtue, but 
there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby 
we must be saved. Praise God, this name has not lost its virtue 
during the centuries which have passed since the day of this 
blessed miracle of healing. 

The first words addressed to this man after Peter and John 
fastened their eyes upon him were, "Look on us." The man at once 
responded, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter 
said: " Silver and gold I have none; but such as I have give I 
thee." What was it that he had ? It was the power of the name 
of Jesus. 

His purse was empty. Like the true ministers and followers 
of Christ to-day, they had, no doubt, met so many poor and needy, 
that they had opportunity to distribute all their cash long before 
this, therefore they had no silver and gold which might have been 
a blessing to this man, but they were ready to impart unto him 
something else, which proved to be richer to him than all the 
world, and that which all the gold of Ophir could not buy. 'Tn 
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." As 
these words were spoken, there must have been a mighty exercise 
of faith in this blessed name. By divine inspiration Peter saw the 
necessity of works with faith. And he took him by the right hand 
and lifted him up, and immediately the power of that mighty 
name snapped in sunder the awful fetters of bondage that had 
held this poor cripple down all his life, and his feet and ankle 
bones received strength. All glory to Jesus and His holy name ! 
Oh, that every one who has become a victim to the oppressor 
might receive the same precious benefit from this same heavenly 
source. 



THE EFFECT UPON THE PEOPLE. 

They were greatly amazed, and were filled with wonder, at 
what happened unto this man. The news was rapidly spread and 
they came running together into Solomon's porch. Peter took ad- 
vantage of this occasion after explaining the miracle, and 
preached a searching sermon to them upon repentance, and the 
resurrection of Christ. The priests, the captain of the temple, 
and the Sadducees could not endure this, and arrested Peter and 



M IN D A V D FAITH C U RE . 103 

John. But what a glorious effect upon the people through this 
one sermon! Acts A -A tells us, "Howbeit, many of them which 
heard the word, believed ; and the number of men was about five 
thousand." We follow on into the next day, when the apostles 
were brought to trial, and find the healed man standing boldly 
with them before their persecutors (verses 10, 14) ; and in verse 
21 we are told that all the people glorified God for that which was 
done. 

This miracle in its soul-saving results is the fulfillment of the 
promise of Jesus concerning the "greater works" that should be 
done in His name, by those who believe on Him, after His ascen- 
sion to the right hand of God. This truly is one of the greater 
works. Nowhere in the ministry of Christ do we see at one tmie 
such an ingathering of souls as this. Praise God ! the resurrection 
commission is still in force, and Jesus is ready, in every case, to 
work with the faithful preaching of His word and confirm it with 
signs following. 




ATTENDING JESUS' COLLEGE. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. IQ'i 



ATTENDING JESUS' COLLEGE. 

Dr. S. A. Richmond attended Jesus' College. Jesus was his 
tutor and preceptor. By inspiration he was taken up on the mount 
of transfiguration to get power like the disciples of old ; had to 
come down again, and at the foot of the mountain he began to 
heal all manner of diseases. Reader, if you want power, you must 
ascend the mount of communion. Let us not see the face of man 
today till we have seen Jesus. We, too, shall cast out devils and 
work wonders if we go down into the world girded with that 
divine energy which Christ alone can give. It is of no use going 
to the Lord's battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons. Wt 
must see Jesus. This is essential. 

Jesus beats all the doctors diagnosing disease. He never 
makes mistakes as other doctors do, and furthermore, he never 
makes any mistakes in prescribing the proper remedies to cure 
these diseases. His medicine is the elixir of life — an infallible 
specific for every disease known to man where it is used and ap- 
plied strictly according to his directions. His cures are speedy. 
There is life in a look at Him. Our Lord Jesus differs from all 
other teachers. He teaches at His college heart instructions. Other 
colleges reach the ear, but He instructs the heart. They deal with 
the outward letter, but he imparts an inward taste for the truth 
by which we perceive its savor and spirit. The most unlearned 
of men become ripe scholars in the school of grace when the Lord 
Jesus, by His holy spirit, unfolds the mystery of the kingdom to 
them and grants the divine annointing by which they are enabled 
to behold the invisible. Had it not been for the love of Jesus, we 
should have remained to this moment in utter ignorance, for with- 
out His gracious opening of our understanding, we could no more 
have attained to spiritual knowledge than an infant can climb the 
pyramids, or an ostrich fly up to the stars. Jesus' college is the 
only one in which God's truth can be really learned. Other schools 
may teach us what is to be believed, but Christ alone can show 
us how to' believe it. Let us sit at the feet of Jesus and by earnest 
prayer call in His blessed aid that our dull wits may grow brighter, 
and our feeble understandings may receive heavenly things. 

The last command that Jesus gave to his disciples was to go 
forth and preach the gospel to every nation and heal the sick. He 



108 ^> i ' i ^' ^^' tl E A L I N G . 

bade the seventy disciples as well as the twelve to heal the sick, 
where they were kindly received. They shall take up serpents, 
and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them. They 
shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Now, the 
record shows this : that, in the first place, God healed the sick 
through Jesus Christ ; now, He heals the sick through man in the 
name of Jesus Christ. If you wish to heal the sick, lay your hands 
on them and speak the word, through prayer in the name of Jesus 
Christ, and they will be healed. We are told in the 16th chapter, 
18th verse of Saint Mark, Jesus commanded His disciples to lay 
their hands on the sick in His name and they should recover. 
That same power was made perpetual to all of Christ's followers 
or disciples. When the afflicted make up their mind that they will 
try this divine healing by the rules and regulations as set forth 
by Dr. S. A. Richmond in his wonderful book on divine healing, 
they are almost certain and sure to meet with opposition by the 
Devil, through mortal mind, his agent, to discourage them all he 
can, when they kneel down and offer up prayer to God for light 
and faith and healing from all their unbelief. Satan will hinder 
you, when he sees that you are earnest in prayer. He will check 
your opportunity and weaken your faith in order that, if possible, 
he may make you miss the blessing that you are seeking for. Nor 
is Satan less vigilant in obstructing all Christian effort. There 
never was a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. 
Brothers, sisters, do not get alarmed because Satan hinders you, 
for it is proof that you are on the Lord's side. Persevere and be 
more firm than ever in order to conquer and win the battle. Christ 
is near you with outstretched arms to welcome you into the fold. 
God, through Christ, will give you st'rength and power to win 
the victory and triumph over your adversary. Jesus was tempted 
as we are, by the very same devil. It is a sharp fight which you 
are waging, but Jesus has stood foot to foot with the same enemy. 
Let us be of good cheer. Christ has borne the load before us, 
and the blood-stained footsteps of the King of Glory may be seen 
along the road which we traverse at this hour. There is some- 
thing sweeter yet. Jesus was tempted, but Jesus never sinned. 
Blessed be any wind that blows us into the port of our Savior's 
love. Happy wounds which make us seek the beloved physician. 
Ye tempted ones, come to your tempted Savior, for He can be 
touched with a feeling of your infirmities and will succor everv 
tried and tempted one. 







v^ 





THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 



M IN D AN D FAIT H C U RE . Ill 

THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 
(LUKE 10:30-34.) 

''And Jesus answering, said, A certain man went down from 
Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him 
of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half 
dead. 

"And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; 
and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 

''And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and 
looked c>n him, and passed by on the other side. 

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was : 
and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 

"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil 
and wine, and set him on his beast, and brought him to an inn, 
and took care of him." 

The good Samaritan did not say, "Here is the wine, and here 
is the oil for you ;'' he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So 
Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds 
the golden chalice to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your 
mouth. The poor, sick, way-worn pilgrim is not merely strength- 
ened to walk, but he is borne on eagles' wings. Glorious gospel ! 
which provides everything for the helpless, which draws nigh 
to us when we cannot reach after it — ^brings us grace before we 
seek for grace ! Here is as much glory in the giving as in the 
gift. Happy people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to 
them. 

Whoever the traveler may be, he has but to knock at the door 
of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of bread for him. 
Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that He has built a St. Cross Hos- 
pital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and 
have his wants supplied. Nay ; He has done better ; He has 
attached to this Hospital of the Cross a bath, and whenever a soul 
is black and filthy, it has but to go there and be washed. The 
fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever went 
into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sinb 
which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the 
sinner has become whiter than snow. As if this were not enough, 
there is attached to this Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a 



112 DIVIXE H EALING. 

sinner, making application simply as a sinner, may be clothed 
from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not 
merely have a garment for ordinary wear, but armor which shall 
cover him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. If he 
asks for a sword, he shall have that given to him, and a shield 
too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied him. He shall 
have spending money so long as he lives ; and he shall have an 
eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy 
of his Lord. If all these things are to be had by merely knocking 
at mercy's door, O, my friends, knock hard this morning, and ask 
large things of thy generous Lord. 

ABSENT TREATMENT. 

The science of divine healing can heal the sick who are absent 
from their healers, as well as those present, since space is no 
obstacle to mind. This has been fully demonstrated by both God 
and Christ, also by St. Paul. 

God sent His word and healed them. — Psalm 107 :20. 

In Genesis, 20th chapter, ITth verse, we read that Abimelech. 
the friend of Abraham, was taken sick and nigh unto death, and 
Abraham prayed unto God and God healed Abinelech. 

Jesus could heal at a distance and without seeing the object 
of His miraculous cure, as He did the nobleman's son — John 
4:46-53; and the centurion's servant — Luke 7:1-10. He could 
heal with a w^ord, without a touch, as He did the ten lepers — Luke 
17 :11-19 ; and the two blind men near Jericho — Matthew 20 : 
29-34. He could heal without a word or a conscious touch on 
His part, as in the case of the woman having an issue of blood — 
Matthew 9 :20-22. He could heal with a touch and a word, as 
in the case of Peter's wife's mother — ^Matthew 8 :14-16 ; and the 
woman with the spirit of infirmity eighteen years — Luke 13 :11-13. 
God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that from 
his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and 
the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of 
them.— Acts 19 :11-12. 

All of these miracles were done by absent treatment. The 
reader can see at once that there is no such thing as absence. 
Why? Because God is omnipresent. Dr. S. A. Richmond treats 
his patients by the rules and regulations adopted by Jesus and 
Saint Paul. He blesses handkerchiefs and sends to his patients, to- 
gether with his other treatments. 




THE PALSIED MAN LET DOWN THROUGH THE ROOF. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 115 

THE PALSIED MAN LET DOWN THROUGH THE ROOF. 

(mark 2:1-5.) 

''And again He entered into Capernaum after some days ; and 
it was noised that He was in the house. 

"And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that 
there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the 
door ; and He preached the word unto them. 

''And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, 
which was borne of four. 

"And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, 
they uncovered the roof where He was : and when they had broken 
it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay. 

"When Jesus saw their faith. He said unto the sick of the 
palsy. Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." 

Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd 
blocked up the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord 
and placing the palsied man before Him. If we cannot get sinners 
where Jesus is by ordinary methods, we must use extraordinary 
ones. It seems, according to Luke 5 :19, that a tiling had to be re- 
moved, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to 
those below ; but where the case is very urgent, we must not mind 
running some risks and shocking some proprieties. Jesus was 
there to heal, and therefore fall what might, faith ventured all so 
that her poor paralyzed charge might have his sins forgiven. 
O that we had more daring faith among, us ! Cannot we, dear 
reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-work- 
ers, and will we not try today to perform some gallant act for the 
love of souls and the glory of the Lord ? 

The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the pur- 
poses of human desire; cannot faith invent, too, and reach by 
some new means the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It 
was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the 
four bearers of the palsied man : is not the Lord among us now ? 
Have we seen His face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt 
His healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, 
through wdndow, or through roof, let us, breaking through all im- 
pediments, labor to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good 



116 



D IT ly E H E AL IX G 



and decorous when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. 
If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger 
for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, make us quick 
to suggest methods of reaching Thy poor sin-sick ones, and bold to 
carry them out at all hazards. 



HEALIXG OF THE CAXAAXITE'S DAUGHTER. 



( MARK ( 



•29. 



"For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean 
spirit, heard of Him. and came and fell at His feet. 

"The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she 
besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her 
daughter. 

"But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it 
is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it unto the dogs. 

"And she answered and said unto Him, Yes. Lord : yet the dogs 
under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 

"And He said imto her. For this saying go thy way : the devil 
is gone out of thy daughter." 

This woman gained comfort in her misery by thinking great 
THOUGHTS OF Christ. The Master had talked about the child- 
ren's bread: "Xow," argued she, "since Thou art the Master of 
the table of grace, I know that Thou art a generous housekeeper, 
and there is sure to be abundance of bread on Thy table ; there will 
be such an abundance for the children that there will be crumbs to 
throw on the floor for the dogs, and the children will fare none the 
worse because the dogs are fed." She thought Him one who 
kept so good a table that all she needed Avould only be a crumb in 
comparison : yet remember, what she wanted was to have the devil 
cast out of her daughter. It was a very great thing to her, but she 
had such a high esteem of Christ, that she said. "It is nothing to 
Him, it is but a crumb for Christ to give." 

When the Syrophenician woman came to Jesus for the healing 
of her daughter, Jesus told her that it was not meet to take the 
children's bread and cast it to dogs. IMatt. 15 :26. Here we see that 
healing was provided for God's children — was actually their bread. 
Now we know naturallv that bread is considered the, staft of life. 



mijvd and faith cure. 117 

and if Jesus called healing the children's bread we would infer 
that it must be something very necessary in order to maintain life 
— ^both natural and spiritual. 

We see by Christ's life when here, that healing was a great part 
of His ministry ; "for He went about all the cities and villages, 
teaching the gospel in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel 
of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease 
among the people." And when He sent out His disciples He com- 
missioned them with the same power, but He told them 
to go only among the children, or the house of Israel; 
as much as to say : Carry this bread to the children ; for I 
have bought it for them with my own blood. How grieved He 
must be today when His own children will not accept of this 
precious food, which He purchased and for which He paid such a 
great price ! I am sure He is moved today with just as much com- 
passion as He was when here when He saw His children under the 
galling yoke of disease. He knows the remedy is at hand and that 
we have the knowledge of it ; for we have it in His written word. 
Matt. 8 :16 says : "When the even was come, they brought unto 
Him many that were possessed with devils : and He cast out the 
spirits with His word and healed all that were sick : that it might be 
fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying. Himself 
took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." 

It was prophesied before He came that healing was to be a 
part of His work, and when the Israel of God came to Him for their 
bread He was compelled to give it to them. Why ? Because God's 
word had gone out that He would send a deliverer ; and now He 
was come, and the children naturally came in for their inheritance 
and Jesus had to give it to them. Not only so, but He loved to 
give it to them ; for had He not paid dearly enough for it ? Ah ! all 
the way He had to keep from giving was to hide Himself where 
they could not find Him for a while. This was His work given 
to Him by His own Father, and Jesus Himself testified even by 
prophecy years before He came, that He delighted to do the 
Father's will. Could He refrain from it when the opportunity 
came? No, no. 

Then, too, giving is one of the natural laws of God. Could He 
refuse His own children when they came in such great need and 
distress ? No ; it would be impossible for God to do the like. It is 
give, give, give, with God. Will you receive? Children of God, 
let us wake up to our privileges. When these things are provided 



118 DIVINE HEALING. 

for the children, and even the dogs can get crumbs, why are we so 
far away from Father's graciously provided table, which is loaded 
with all needed benefits? My children know that their father 
always has bread in the house — that is what he works for, in order 
to always have a supply on hand. They feel perfectly free to take 
of it. They just feel that all that belongs to father, belongs to them. 
They say, "This is ours/' That is ours." Why? Because it belongs 
to father, and they are partakers with father. They sit down to 
father's table and partake of all that father has provided. They 
are not slow to do it, either. They take no thought for it ; for they 
think that is father's part to do. Really they do not think much if 
anything about it until they want it. Then they come and get what 
they need. 

When the blind man was healed (Jno. 9:31) he in answering 
the revilers' questions said : ''Now we know that God heareth not 
sinners ; but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, 
him He heareth." Here again we see it is for God's children, or 
those who worship Him and do His will. Those who do not do His 
will cannot expect to share the children's portion. If they come 
to Him in a humble attitude and give God His place and they take 
their place, then He will hear them by making them His children ; 
for He adopts children into His family and they become full heirs- 
Praise God ! We see that when the one came, even taking the 
dogs' place, she came worshiping Him; and how could He refuse, 
even though He was not ready yet to reach out His blessings to 
others than the then chosen of God? But we see she came in 
God's way, and Jesus knew it, and He was compelled to give it to 
her. Compelled seems like a strong term, but when any one 
comes in God's way. He is obliged to grant the petition, because 
of His word, which must be fulfilled. It has gone out, and "He 
magnifies His word above His name" ; and so when we come on 
His word. He will grant our requests. 

Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteous- 
ness. He simply believed that when God made a promise He 
would fulfill it. Today we are too wise of our own selves to believe 
God. We want to see and understand how He does it, and not 
simply like a child just believe He will do for us what we need. 
Faith is believing God, and if we are walking in perfect obedience 
we zvill believe God. 

Many say that they did not have or need faith when Jesus was 
here, that His faith was sufficient. Look at the leper who met 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE. 119 

Jesus when He came down from the mountain — he zvorshiped Him, 
saying, "If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean." First, he 
worshiped God, and again, he knew of Jesus' power and God's will, 
or he would not have come in such confidence. Jesus simply 
said, 'T will, be thou clean." It was done. That was Jesus' work, 
and the leper knew it. They knew what the promise was. Were 
they not for centuries looking for this same Savior and Healer? 
And did they not have the knowledge of what He would do when 
He came ? And do you think they would be slow in testing His 
ability and power? If my father said he would send his agent, and 
I should receive of his fortune, would I be slow to receive it when I 
saw father's agent ? No, I think not. 



FAITH. 

Those who brought their friends to Jesus — do we think for a 
moment that they had no faith? No, they had all faith in His 
ability and power, or why would they have come? Do you think 
those who were carried had no faith? Surely they had faith, or 
would they have consented to the process ? Do we suppose the 
centurion and his servant had no faith when he came to Jesus? 
Ah, he knew what Jesus was willing and able to do ; for he said, 'T 
am not worthy for you (the Son of God) to come under my roof 
. . . Just speak the word, and my servant shall be healed." And 
it was done. They came in assurance. They came in a humble and 
worshipful attitude — not in doubts, fears, and unbelief. They 
gave Jesus a chance to do His will. We seldom do. They were 
full of faith and obedience and adoration. We come full of doubts 
and fears and unbelief. We live far away from God until perhaps 
some calamity overtakes us, then we run quick to God. Will He 
then hear ? He may hear, but He may see fit first to administer a 
lesson. Can we expect the blessings of Father's house when we 
occupy it so little ? It is he that dwelleth there, that has the promise 
of protection and deliverance ; and those who keep His command- 
ments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, that are 
to receive what they ask for. 1 Jno. 3 :22. 

Dear brother and sister in the kingdom, it is our portion ; will 
we have it? ''Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our 
sorrows. For He was wounded for our transgression. He was 
bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was on 



120 



DiriXE HEALING 



Him, and with His stripes we are healed." And when He came 
and finished the work He had to do He could testify, "It is 
finished." So His bodily presence is gone, but He sent His Spirit, 
and pledged His own presence in the Spirit, when He says, "Lo, I 
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Again, "And 
these signs shall follow them that believe : in My name shall they 
cast out devils ; they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall take 
up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt 
them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." — 
Mark 16 :17-20. So we see the work was to be perpetuated. When 
it ceased through Him, His children were to continue the work. 
He commissioned them with the same authority and power. The 
work was not to stop, for He was to be with them even to the end, 
working in them such things as were pleasing in the Father's sight ; 
for He is the same vesterdav, and todav, and forever. 




THE DEMONIAC BOV AT THE FOOT OF MT. TABOR. 



MIND AN D FAIT H CURE . 123 

THE DEMONIAC BOY AT THE FOOT OF MT. TABOR. 
(mark 9:14-24.) 

''And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have 
brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit ; 

''And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him ; and he 
foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I 
spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they 
could not. 

"He answereth him, and sayeth, O faithless generation, how 
long shall I be with you? 

"Jesus said unto him. If thou canst believe, all things are pos- 
sible to him that believeth. 

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said 
with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. 

"When Jesus saw that the people came running together. He 
rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf 
spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into 
him. 

"And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him : 
and he was as one dead ; insomuch that many said. He is dead. 

"But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he 
arose. 

"And when He was come into the house. His disciples asked 
Him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 

"And He said unto them. This kind can come forth by nothing, 
but by prayer and fasting." 

This obstinate case was a mystery to the disciples. They 
asked Jesus, "Why could not we cast him out?" Jesus said it was 
because of their unbelief, and that this kind could come forth by 
nothing but prayer and fasting. Space does not permit much to 
be said here about fasting, but there is much to be gained in its 
scriptural and prayerful practice. It may be unwisely practiced, 
however, at times, which will be harmful rather than helpful, but 
where it is observed in the order of the Holy Spirit, which is 
always with much prayer, it is a means of great blessing. Prayer 
is the one hand that takes hold of the invisible things. Fasting is 
the other hand that lets go of the visible. 



'^mm 



124 DIVINE HEALING. 

This is another instance where one was possessed with a devil 
who was deaf and dumb. The description given by the father of 
the child is expressive of Satanic work. It ''teareth him; and he 
foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and 
ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to de- 
stroy him." When this helpless child was brought to Jesus, the 
evil spirit immediately demonstrated his destructive power, as if 
to utterly destroy him before he should be cast out. He has suc- 
cessfully withstood the power and faith of the disciples, and now in 
a bold, daring effort of defiance to the power of Jesus, seeks to 
take a firmer grasp than ever upon this suffering mortal. The 
anxious father, half believing and half doubting, entreats Jesus 
for help. All the faith he had, had doubtless been staggered by 
the failure of the disciples to help him in his great need. Jesus 
was both able and willing to grant the desired help, but the barriers 
of doubt must first be taken away. The one little word, if, in this 
case as in so many instances of our own experiences, was enough 
to obstruct the blessing that Jesus was so ready to give, but He 
quickly instructed the father of the all-importance of believing. 

Notice the conversation between the father and Jesus. The 
father said : 'Tf thou canst do anything." There certainly was 
not much faith expressed in this language. Jesus knew the heart 
of the perplexed man, and helped him to change his prayer by the 
time he had ended his sentence, ''have compassion on us and help 
us." Jesus said: 'Tf thou canst believe, all things are possible 
to him that believeth." The father at once saw his position, and 
cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. ' 
This is a wonderful conversation. The words of Jesus to the 
father and the words of the father to Jesus, teach us the very 
principles of faith. The extreme necessity of the father had 
prepared him for the desperate grasp with which he laid hold 
upon the words of Jesus, which told him the possibility of faith. 
Had he but said, "Lord, I believe," he could not have reached 
the promise ; and had he but said, "Help thou mine unbelief," he 
would have only confessed his lack of faith, and could not have 
reached the promise. He had very clearly expressed his unbelief 
in saying, "If Thou canst do anything." It took a confession on 
his part to dislodge it from his heart, and it also took. more than 
this, it took a desperate effort of his will to put his unbelief out of 
the way. Not that he had the power m himself to put it away, but 
to yield himself fully to Jesus and use his will against his unbelief. 



MI^'D AN D FAIT H CURE . 125 

asking Jesus to help him in the struggle. He did not have sufficient 
faith, and he was conscious of his lack, but with tears he made use 
of what he had, laying hold of the words of Jesus with a desperate 
grasp. 

Despairingly the poor disappointed father turned away from 
the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible 
condition, and all means had failed ; but the miserable child was 
soon delivered from the evil one when the parent, in faith, obeyed 
the Lord Jesus' word, "Bring him unto Me." Children are a 
precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes with them. They 
may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents ; they 
may be filled with the Spirit of God, or possessed with the spirit 
of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one receipt for 
the curing of all their ills, "Bring him unto Me." O for more 
agonizing prayer on their behalf, while they are yet babes. Sin 
is there, let our prayers begin to attack it. Our cries for our 
offspring should precede those cries which betoken their actual 
advent into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we shall 
see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit which will neither 
pray aright nor hear the voice of God in the soul ; but Jesus still 
commands, "Bring them unto Me." When they are grown up 
they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God ; then, 
when our hearts are breaking, we should remember the great 
Physician's words, "Bring them unto Me." Never must we cease 
to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while 
Jesus hves. 

The Lord sometimes suffers His people to be driven into a 
corner that they may experimentally know how necessary He is to 
them. Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerless- 
ness against the depravity of their hearts, drive us to flee to the 
Strong for strength ; and this is a great blessing to us. Whatever 
our morning's need may be, let it, like a strong current, bear us to 
the ocean of divine love. Jesus can soon remove our sorrow. He 
delights to comfort us. Let us hasten to Him while He waits to 
meet us. 



126 DiriXEEEALING. 

LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY. 

(MATTHEW 8:5-8, 13.) 

''And when Jesns was entered into Capernaum, there came 
unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, 

''And saying, Lord, my servant Heth at home sick of the palsy, 
grievously tormented. 

"And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 

"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy 
that Thou shouldst come under my roof : but speak the word only, 
and my servant shall be healed. 

"And Jesus said unto the centurion. Go thy way, and as thou 
hast believed, so be it unto thee. And his servant was healed 
in the selfsame hour." 

How many are Thy thoughts of love ! 

Thy mercies. Lord, how great ! 
We have not words, nor hours enough 

Their numbers to repeat. 

When I'm afflicted, poor and low, 

And light and peace depart. 
My God beholds my heavy woe. 

And bears me on His heart. 

This was the first miracle of healing in Galilee. The fame of 
Jesus had already spread abroad because of His miracles at Jerusa- 
lem. ]\Iany believed in His name and were ready to testify to all 
men of His wonderful deeds of love and compassion. This noble- 
man heard of Him, and when He came out of Judea into Galilee, he 
went unto Jesus and besought him that he would come down to 
Capernaum and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 

The child was dying with fever ; the father would naturally 
have reached the end of hope from any earthly source, and knew 
of no other help until he heard of Jesus. Like the centurion who 
came to Jesus for the healing of his servant, this man believed 
that he had power over diseases, and when put to the test believed 
His spoken word. How much faith the child had, or if he was 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE . 127 

capable of believing at all or not, we are not informed, but there 
is abundant evidence of the faith of the parent. 

This instance teaches us the power of intercessory faith. The 
father came to Jesus with as deep earnestness as though he were 
the sick one. He sought help, and believed for his dying child. 
His faith answered for the child, and brought the blessing. The 
question is frequently asked. How far will the faith of some one 
else answer for an individual seeking healing? The answer may 
be given as follows : If the individual is living up to the full con- 
ditions of obedience and faith so far as he is responsible, and be- 
cause of the nature of the sickness or the peculiar circumstances 
of the case, or for any other reason beyond his power to control, 
he cannot press through the difficulties and obtain the blessing, 
then the faith of an intercessor will add to the power of his own 
faith, and overcome the obstacle in his way. 

The father was intensely in earnest in his appeal for help. This 
is a true characteristic of faith. It is determined and fixed in its 
purpose. Every energy must be united in the one aim. Our will 
must will to obtain the answer. " What wilt thou?" asked Jesus 
of the blind man at Jericho, as he cried out the more a great deal 
for mercy, when the people tried to silence him. '' Be it unto 
thee as thou wilt," he said to the mother of the demon-possessed 
daughter, as she persistently clung to him for deliverance. So 
we must will to have what God has provided for us in Christ. We 
must assure our hearts that what we need is God's will for us, 
then we must set ourselves to have it ; not with a will independent 
of His will, but in harmony with it. This nobleman was in per- 
fect harmony with God's will, when he asked for the healing of 
his child. There was no doubt in his mind about this. His 
whole theme was : " Come down, ere my child die." Would that 
every seeker were past all doubts about God's will to heal, and 
could just as determinedly concentrate every desire into the one 
cry — there would be many more present-day miracles of God's 
healing power. 

He was disappointed in the way Jesus answered his petition. 
He had to be thus disappointed; for he had previously fixed in 
his own mind how it was to be done. In this respect God always 
disappoints us. He will answer our prayers in His own way, 
which is always better for us than our way. This is beautifullv 
taught us in the incident of Acts 12, when the church was praying 
day and night for the deliverance of Peter from the hand of Herod. 



128 D IT IX E H E ALIN G. 

Their answer came with a great astonishment, not because of the 
answer, but because of the manner in which it came. Because 
the answer to our prayer does not come in our own time and way, 
we should never permit our faith to fail, but on the other hand 
we should intensify our earnestness and diligence in seeking to 
know the reason for the delay, which may seem for the time like 
a denial. Jesus helped this man to get his faith beyond signs and 
visible manifestations. With many people at that time it was as 
it is now, " Seeing is believing ;" but such believing is but weak 
and unsatisfactory in its results, and unless quickly outgrown will 
leave the individual in a helpless condition. In the better under- 
standing of faith, believing is seeing. " Faith is the substance 
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." He was 
ready to exercise real faith in our blessed Healer, even though 
disappointed in having him come down to Capernaum with him 
to lay His hands upon the sick child. He had no outward mani- 
festations to lean upon now, but oh ! he had what was infinitely 
better, the spoken word of Jesus. 



GO THY way; thy SOX LIVETH. 

" And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto 
him, and went his way." How plainly we see the act of faith in 
this man. He zvent Jiis zvay. He might have done this in an or- 
dinary manner, and found his son at home as sick as ever, but 
there was something unusual in his trip down home this time. In 
his own heart there was a sweet peace and assurance that all was 
well with his child, for he believed the words which Jesus had 
spoken, " Thy son liveth." Could we believe as much if we heard 
the words of Jesus spoken to us under similar circumstances ? It 
seems reasonable that every one who believes in Jesus could be- 
lieve everything he should say, especially when assured that His 
words were personally addressed to him. No seeker should ever 
stop seeking until some one of the promises becomes as personal 
to him as the word of Jesus was to the anxious father. 

This is an example of intercessory faith. How much the 
servant himself believed we are not informed, but it is evident 
according to the plan of redemption that if the servant was 
responsible to exercise faith and obedience to God, his faith was 
one of the requisites of his healing. In case of an infant child or 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 129 

any adult whose affliction is of such a nature as to render them 
irresponsible, then the faith of an intercessor would answer and 
be acceptable with God. This centurion was a Gentile, and had 
little opportunity to be instructed in the way of faith, and yet he 
possessed a faith that eclipsed any one of those in Israel, insomuch 
that Jesus marveled. 

How true this is in humanity today ! In many cases those who 
have the least light and opportunity have the most faith. This 
man, however, was a God-fearing man. Luke's narrative of this 
event tells us that he had built a synagogue for the Jews, and loved 
their nation. In some respects he was like the centurion, Cornelius. 
He possessed the characteristics of faith ; for 



HE WAS A VERY HUMBLE MAN. 

In the estimation of others he was worthy of the favor he had 
asked of Jesus, but in his own estimation he was not worthy to 
have Him come under his roof. As a Roman officer he had every 
advantage of rank and authority to become proud and self- 
conceited, but how beautifully his true humility is shown in his 
words, 'T am not worthy." How blessed it is when we can feel 
this same sense of humility and unworthiness. It is here where 
we receive the blessings from the hand of God. On the other 
hand there are instances where the enemy takes advantage of 
some seeking heart where this unworthiness is so deeply realized, 
but, thank God, we are not offered these blessings of life and 
health upon any consideration of our own worthiness. It is all 
through the merits of Christ. The more unworthy we feel, the 
more we exalt the worthiness of Him, and the more He loves to 
bestow upon us His priceless blessings. The secret of the great 
faith in this man lies in his humility and sense of unworthiness. 
It was manifested in the recognition of Christ's absolute power 
over all the forces that exist, and also the power of His word. 

A word from Jesus was all he asked for — "Say in a word, and 
my servant shall be healed." His position as an officer enabled him 
to know the power of a word by one in command. One word from 
his own lips demanded implicit obedience from the soldiers and 
servants under him. One word from his superiors was of great 
importance to him. The word of the Roman emperor was 
supreme all over that vast domain, and could not be ignored by anv 



130 DIVINE HE ALING. 

one ; therefore this centurion was well disciplined in the power of 
a word by those who are in authority. Now he recognizes Jesus 
as the Christ whose word is the word of God and cannot be with- 
stood. Distance could not affect it when once it had gone forth. 
It must be obeyed. He was waiting for that word to be spoken 
with the utmost confidence that his servant would be healed. 

This was a marvel to Jesus. Here was a man who being a 
Gentile, was putting to shame those who professed to be the 
children of faithful Abraham. Some of them were persecuting Him 
and many disbelieved Him who should have been obedient to the 
preaching of John, and been prepared to receive Jesus as the Son 
of God. They were the children of the kingdom, and the heirs 
of the promise, but through unbelief they were forfeiting their 
blessings, and those whom they despised were entering in. How 
true this is in these days ! The professing Christian world is turn- 
ing a deaf ear to the precious truths of full redemption, and 
through unbelief making the word of God of no effect, while the 
heathen and non-professing smners are commg in through repent- 
ance and faith, to the light of salvation and healing. 

The answer Jesus gave to this man was full of meaning to 
every seeking soul. His faith was perfect and shines as a bright 
star in the gospel heavens. We all must marvel as did Jesus. But, 
dear brother, did you ever think that it is our privilege to exercise 
the same faith in the same Christ? Indeed, we ought to have 
greater faith. This centurion had to wait for the word to be 
spoken, but to us it is spoken already. Jesus said to the centurion, 
"Go thy wav; and 



AS THOU HAST BELIEVED 

SO be it done unto thee." This was the answer of this great 
faith. How did he believe ? This is important. We have consid- 
ered his testimony of how he believed, and zvhat he believed, and 
see that he had the utmost confidence in the power and will of 
Jesus to heal. He believed He was the Christ the Son of God 
and had come into the world for this express purpose — to deliver 
humanity from bondage. He believed it with all his heart, and 
was ready to render strict obedience to His mandate as he was to 
Csesar on the throne at Rome. Praise God for this perfect faith. 
This is what honors Christ and enlists all the hosts of heaven, if 



MIND AND FAITH CURE . 131 

necessary, to bring down a blessing in answer to prayer. Do we 
not have the same faith in this Jesus ? His answer to the man was 
simple. It is just so to us. It is the identical answer to us, "As 
thou hast believed." We never need expect another answer to be 
given us than this. We have no promise that God will ever speak 
one word more to us than has been spoken through His Son. It 
had to be spoken to the centurion before he could go his way, but 
to us it is already spoken, and is the glorious answer to every 
prayer for every need. 

With this precious Jesus God has promised tO' give us all 
things, but it will be given only as we have believed. Our sins, 
our sorrows, and our sicknesses were all spoken away on Calvary. 
We must believe it. We must come to Jesus with all our ills, and 
lay them at His feet and humbly worship Him the omnipotent Sav- 
ior and Healer. Do you not hear those same words, dear sufferer, 
as by faith you behold Him? He has spoken them and they are 
sounding in the heavens and earth. Listen prayerfully as you lie 
at His feet. Wait on Him ! Be still, and hear His voice, ''Go thy 
way ; and as thou hast believed, so be it unto thee." 



\^GO»_^^»t«S?, S 




THE SACRED FOUNTAIN. 



3{IND AND FAITH CURE. I35 



THE SACRED FOUNTAIN. 

The sacred fountain that was opened upon Calvary, to wash 
therein is health. 

''Give me to drink that living water." — John 4 :10, 14, 15. 

Jesus says, ''Take freely." He wants no payment or prepara- 
tion. He seeks no recommendation from our various emotions. 
If you have no good feelings, if you be but willing, you are invited ; 
therefore, come ! You have no belief and no repentance — come to 
Him, and He will give them to you. Come just as you are, and 
take "freely," without money and without price. He gives Him- 
self to needy ones. The drinking fountains at the corners of our 
streets are valuable institutions ; and we can hardly imagine any 
one so foolish as to feel for his purse when he stands before one 
of them, and cry, "I cannot drink because I have no money in 
my pocket." However poor the man is, there is the fountain, and 
just as he is he may drink of it. Thirsty passengers, as they go by, 
whether they are dressed in fustian or in broadcloth, do not look 
for any warrant for drinking; its being there is their warrant for 
taking its water freely. The liberality of some good friends has 
put the refreshing crystal there, and we take it, and ask no ques- 
tions. Perhaps the only persons who need go thirsty through the 
street where there is a drinking fountain are the fine ladies and 
gentlemen who are in their carriages. They are very thirsty, but 
cannot think of being so vulgar as to get out to drink. It would 
demean them, they think, to drink at a common drinking fountain : 
so they ride by with parched lips. Oh, how many there are who 
are rich in their own good works, and cannot therefore come to 
Christ! "I will not be saved," they say, "in the same way as the 
harlot or the swearer." What ! go to heaven in the same way as 
a chimneysweep ! Is there no pathway to glory but the path which 
led the thief there? I will not be saved that way." Such proud 
boasters must remain without the living water ; but, "Whosoever 
WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY." 

He who is a believer in Jesus finds enough in his Lord to 
satisfy him now, and to content him forever more. The believer is 
not the man whose days are weary for want of comfort, and whose 
nights are long from absence of heart-cheering thought, for he 
finds in religion such a spring of joy, such a fountain of consolation 



136 DIVINE HEALING. 

that he is content and happy. Put him in a dungeon, and he will 
find good company ; place him in a barren wilderness, he will eat 
the bread of heaven ; drive him away from friendship, he will meet 
the "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Blast all his 
gourds, and he will find shadow beneath the Rock of Ages ; sap 
the foundation of his earthly hopes, but his heart will still be fixed, 
trusting in the Lord. The heart is as insatiable as the grave till 
Jesus enters it, and then it is a cup full to overflowing. There is 
such a fulness in Christ that He alone is the believer's all. The 
true saint is so completely satisfied with the all-sufi"iciency of Jesus,, 
that he thirsts no more, except it be for deeper draughts of the 
living fountain. In that sweet manner, believer, shalt thou thirst ; 
it shall not be the thirst of pain, but of loving desire ; thou wilt find 
it a sweet thing to be panting after a fuller enjoyment of Jesus' 
love. One in days of yore said, "I have been sinking my bucket 
down into the well full often, but now my thirst after Jesus has be- 
come so insatiable, that I long to put the well itself to my lips, and 
drink right on." Is this the feeling of thine heart now, believer^ 
Dost thou feel that all thy desires are satisfied in Jesus, and that 
thou hast no want now but to know more of Him, and to have 
closer fellowship with Him ? Then come continually to the foun-. 
tain, and take of the water of life freely. Jesus will never think you 
take too much, but will ever welcome you, saying, "Drink, yea, 
drink abundantly, O beloved." 

The sinner must come to Jesus, not to works, ordinances or 
doctrines, but to a personal Redeemer, who His own self bore our 
sins in His own body on the tree. The bleeding, dying, rising 
Savior is the only star of hope to a sinner. O for grace to come 
now and drink, ere the sun sets upon the year's last day ! 

No waiting or preparation is so much as hinted at. Drinking 
represents a reception for which no fitness is required. A fool, a 
thief, a harlot can drink ; and so sinfulness of character is no bar 
to the invitation to believe in Jesus. We want no golden cup, no 
be jeweled chalice, in which to convey the water to the thirsty, the 
mouth of poverty is welcome to stoop down and quaff the flowing- 
flood. Blistered, leprous, filthy lips may touch the stream of divine 
love ; they cannot pollute it, but shall themselves be purified. Jesus 
is the fount of hope. Dear reader, hear the dear Redeemer's loving- 
voice as He cries to each of us, 'Tf any man thirst, let him 

COME UNTO ME AND DRINK." 



JIIXD AND FAITH CURE. I37 

'Tis when we taste Thy love 

Our joys divinely grow 
Unspeakable, like those above, 

And heaven begins below. 

As the reservoir empties itself into the pipes, so hath Christ 
emptied out His grace for His people. "Of His fullness have 
all we received, and grace for grace." He seems only to have, in 
order to dispense to us. He stands like the fountain, always flow- 
ing, but only running in order to supply the empty pitchers and 
the thirsty lips which draw nigh unto it. Like a tree, He bears 
sweet fruit, not to hang on boughs, but to be gathered by those 
who need. Grace, whether its work be to pardon, to cleanse, to pre- 
serve, to strengthen, to enlighten, to quicken, or to restore, is ever 
to be had from Him freely and without price ; nor is there one 
form of the work of grace which He has not bestowed upon His 
people. As the blood of the body, though flowing from the heart, 
belongs equally to every member, so the influences of grace 
are the inheritance of every saint united to the Lamb ; and herein 
there is a sweet communion between Christ and His church, in- 
asmuch as they both receive the same grace. Christ is the head 
upon which the oil is first poured ; but the same oil runs to the very 
skirts of the garments, so that the meanest saint has an unction of 
the same costly moisture as that which fell upon the head. This is 
true communion when the sap of grace flows from the stem to the 
branch, and when it is perceived that the stem itself is sustained by 
the very nourishment which feeds the branch. As we day by da}' 
receive grace from Jesus, and more constantly recognize it as 
coming from Him, we shall behold Him in communion with us, 
and enjoy the felicity of communion with Him. Let us make dafly 
use of our riches, and ever repair to Him as our own Lord in 
covenant, taking from Him the supply of all we need with as much 
boldness as men take money from their own purse. 

Call'd from above, I rise, 

And wash away my sin ; 
The stream to which my spirit flies, 

Can make the foulest clean. 

It runs divinely clear, 

A fountain deep and wide : 
Twas open'd by the soldier's spear, 

Li mv Redeemer's side. 




JESUS WENT ABOUT ALL THE CITIES, HEALING THE SICK. 



MIND AN D FAIT n CURE . 141 

JESUS AVENT ABOUT ALL THE CITIES, HEALING THE 

SICK. 

(MATT. 9 :35.) 

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in 
their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and 
healing every sickness, and every disease among the people." 

Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of 
a master's pencil. Of the Savior, and only of the Savior, is it true 
in the fullest, broadest, and most unqualified sense. "He went 
about doing good." From this description it is evident that He 
did good personally. The evangelists constantly tell us that He 
touched the leper with His own finger, that He anointed the eyes 
of the blind, and that in cases where He was asked to speak the 
word only at a distance, He did not usually comply, but went Him- 
self to the sick bed, and there personally wrought the cure. A 
lesson to us, if we would do good, to do it ourselves. Give alms 
with your own hand ; a kind look, or word, will enhance the value 
of the gift. Speak to a friend about his soul ; your loving appeal 
will have more influence than a whole library of tracts. Our Lord's 
mode of doing good sets forth His incessant activity! He did not 
only the good which came close to hand, but He "went about" on 
His errands of mercy. Throughout the whole /land of Judea there 
was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not gladdened by the 
sight of Him. 

In every pang that rends the heart. 
The Man of Sorrows had a part; 
He sympathizes with our grief, 
And to the sufferer sends relief. 

With boldness, therefore, at the throne, 
Let us make all our sorrows known ; 
And ask the aid of heavenly power 
To help us in the evil hour. 



142 DITIXEEEALIXa. 

THE MAX BORX BLIND, 
(jxo. 9.) 

Here Jesus teaches us that there may be cases of sickness or 
infirmity upon certain individuals, regardless of any transgression 
on their part as a direct cause. X'either this man nor his parents 
were the cause of this blindness. The common guilt of man is 
the door through which sickness has entered from the beginning, 
and like death itself, it will assert its power whenever permitted 
to do so. This blindness from birth was by divine permission. 
It was not the work of God, but was thus permitted of God, that 
His works should be made manifest. The gospel teaches us plainly 
that Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil. In so doing 
he was working the works of God. 

In this marvelous miracle Jesus required a very humiliating- 
act of obedience of the man. To submit to the anointing of the 
repulsive clay, made of spittle, and then to go to the pool of Siloam 
and wash it out of his eyes, were both strong expressions, on the 
part of the man, of deep earnestness. Like Xaaman the leper, he 
went through the humiliating process and came forth rejoicing. 
The poor man had but a limited knowledge of Jesus, but his 
acts proved that he obeyed in faith ; for his testimony was, *' He 
is a Prophet;" and as soon as he met Jesus and saw Him, he be- 
lieved He was the Son of God, and worshipped Him. 

]\Iany of our modern believers who are weak in faith and plead- 
ing for remedies, seem to find much consolation in this case of 
the application of clay spittle and the water of Siloam. A few 
questions may be suggestive of a careful reflection. If the clay 
had any curative power, why was the man commanded so imme- 
diately to go and wash? Why do we never hear of such cures 
to-day by the use of clay ? Why did not Jesus instruct His disci- 
ples to anoint with clay? AA^hy do not the advocates of material 
remedies use clay in a similar manner ? 

There are many theories upon this subject, but in our con- 
clusions Ave should seek to keep within scriptural bounds, believing 
that every act of Jesus was prompted by the mind of God in him, 
being designed to inspire faith and obedience on the part of its 
subject, and demonstrating His power to heal. All remedy the- 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 143 

ories have a weakening effect upon faith. The more we can com- 
prehend in Christ the Divine Healer, the less all material remedies 
will appear ; and when faith reaches the plane where " Christ is 
all and in all," there will be neither room nor need for anything 
else. 



CHRIST RESTORETH TO BARTIMAEUS HIS SIGHT. 

(LUKE 18:42, 43.) 

''And Jesus said unto him. Receive thy sight: thy faith hath 
saved thee. 

**And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, 
glorifying God : and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise 
unto God." 

When the blind suppliant in the way, 

By friendly hands to Jesus led. 
Prayed to behold the light of day, 

''Receive thy sight," the Savior said. 

At once he saw the pleasant rays 

That lit the glorious firmament; 

And, with firm step and words of praise, 

He followed where the Master went. 

Look down in pity, Lord, we pray, 

On eyes oppressed by moral night. 

And touch the darkened lids, and say 

The gracious words, "Receive thy sight." 

Then, in clear daylight, shall we see 

Where walked the sinless Son of God; 

And, aided by new strength from Thee, 
Press onward in the path He trod. 

WILLIAM C. BRYANT. 

This man, though he was but a wayside beggar, possessed a 
living faith which obtained a blessing that the wealth of a king- 
dom could not obtain. Like the two men already mentioned, he 
began to cry out for mercy, as soon as he heard that Jesus was 
passing. He seemed to be unable to follow Him, or to get near 



144: BIT IS E H E ALiy G . 

Him in the great throng of people. All he could do was to cry 
out. This he did in dead earnest. He must make Jesus hear. The 
people near charged him to keep still, but he gave no heed to his 
surroundings or to public opinion. His very soul was all absorbed 
in the one object, his sight, and he was not to be silenced by what 
men might think or say of him. Instead of holding his peace, he 
cried out the more a great deal. " TJiou sou of Dazid, haze mercy 
on me." 

His cries were not in vain; neither are ours. Jesus never 
turned away one seeking and obedient and earnest soul who came 
to Him in simple faith : and He nezer zi'Ul. The ears of the Lord 
are open to their prayers. 1 Pet. 3 :12. Dear sufferer, do not be 
discouraged if you should seem to fail with an ordinarv" effort to 
get the attention of our blessed Healer. Examine your heart and 
see that all is in God's order, then like this beggar repeat your 
cr\- until you know He hears. " Jesus stood still, and commanded 
him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying unto 
him. Be of good comfort, rise. He calleth thee." Ah. the cry v. as 
heard, the call reached his ear. Behold the change : it is Jesus 
calling now. 

Here again we see the manner of personal contact. This man 
did not seem to be able, as the other two blind ones were, to come 
at once into the presence of Jesus. The throng was an insur- 
mountable obstacle to this helpless man. but when he has reached 
the proper point of earnestness, doing his required part, Jesas 
comes to the rescue and bids the ver\- obstacle assist the seeker, 
by calling him into His presence. This will be just as true in your 
case as in his. A\'hat you need is the living faith in this Healer, 
which if you put into practice like Bartimaeus did. with the same 
determined persistence, Jesus will command the ver\' obstacles in 
your way to assist you into His presence. They will stand aside and 
you shall have free access to Him. There is no real obstacle that 
can stand before faith. The towering mountain which obstructs 
the way must move from its foundation and make way for the 
seeking soul as it moves onward in its progress to victors'. The 
struggle may seem a long one, the cries and prayers many, but 
there is certain victory : for '* nothing is impossible to him that 
believeth." The " be of good comfort " will be heard, the glorious 
presence of Jesus and His healing power will be the reward of 
every faithful soul. As this man came into His presence, Jesus 
asked him. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 145 

WHAT WILT THOU THAT I SHOULD DO UNTO 

THEE? 

Is it not simply wonderful that this man was asked such a 
question? He who had been crying with such earnestness for 
mercy, now has the honored privilege of being called into the 
presence of Jesus and being asked : "What wilt thou ?" This 
same blessed privilege is likewise extended to every one who 
comes to Him as this man did. He did not come to Jesus with 
doubt or uncertainty about His will. This was settled long before 
he came into the presence of Jesus. He did not come asking, 
What wilt Thou give me ? but Jesus asks him, What wilt thou have ? 
The Syrophenician woman was granted this same privilege after 
she had humbly taken her place at Jesus' feet. When faith has 
brought us into this condition of true obedience, we may have 
what we will. The man's will was that he might receive his sight. 
It was granted him as freely as the sunshine is poured out upon 
the earth. He had come up to the conditions perfectly, and was 
thereby enabled to diink in the blessings of life. He was now 
commanded to carry away his blessing and show it to the world 

''Go thv Wav ; THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE."" 



THE BLIND MAN WASHED IN THE POOL OF SILOAM. 

"When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made 
clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with 
the clay, 

"And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which 
is by interpretation Sent.) He went his way therefore, and 
washed, and came seeing." 



THE MAN AT BETHESDA. 

In this event the blind man had friends to bring him into the 
presence of Jesus. He had not the obstacles in his way as Bar- 
timaeus had, and evidently had not so much faith. His friends 
besought Jesus to touch him. The first that Jesus did was to take 



146 DIVINE HEALING. 

him by the hand and lead him off out of the town, away from his 
friends, into his presence alone, teaching him and us that we must 
become forgetful of friends and every surrounding if we would 
have our faith effectually claim the blessing. This man had be- 
come so dependent upon human help that his faith in Jesus ap- 
parently was quite imperfect, and consequently received but an 
imperfect result from the first touch of his healing hand. He 
looked up and said he saw men as trees walking. 

There are cases of such healing in these days. Because of an 
imperfect faith, there are corresponding imperfect results, and m 
some cases no visible results at all. Many seekers never get into 
the presence of Jesus. They do not seek until they find. Others 
come into His presence, but when He begins to lead them away 
from everything else, they rebel and do not receive the blessing. 
In many other ways there are serious reasons for the seeming 
failures which skeptics are so ready to point out. The great rem- 
edy for all this is a perfect faith. If the healing is not received 
in the first application, let us get nearer to Him ; or if the 
result is but partial, let us get nearer to Him, and apply for a 
second touch. Jesus is just as willing to give it to us as to the 
blind man. Faith will bring it, and we shall go our way re- 
joicing. 

DIVINE HEALING IN PROPHECY. 

Prophecy. "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, 
fear not : behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God 
with a recompense ; He will come and save you. Then the eyes 
of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be 
unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the 
tongue of the dumb sing." — Isa. 35:4-6. 

Prophecy fulfilled. ''J^sus answered and said unto them. Go 
and show John again those things which ye do hear and see : The 
blind receive their sight, and the lame walk ; the lepers are cleansed, 
and the deaf hear ; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the 
gospel preached unto them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall 
not be offended in Me."— Matt. 11 :4-6. 

Prophecy. ''Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried 
our sorrows : yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and 
afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 147 

bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement of our peace was 
upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." — Isa. 53 :4, 5. 

Prophecy fulfilled. "When the even was come they brought 
unto Him many that were possessed with devils : and He cast 
out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick : that 
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, say- 
ing. Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." — Matt. 
8:16, 17. 

Prophecy. ''To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners 
from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison- 
house."— Isa. 42:7. 

"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord 
hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek : He hath 
sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the 
captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." — 
Isa. 61:1. 

Prophecy fulfilled. "The spirit of the Lord is upon 
me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the 
poor ; He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliv- 
erance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at 
liberty them that are bruised. . . . And he began to say unto them, 
This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." — Luke 4 :18, 21. 

Prophecy. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of 
righteousness arise with healing in his wings ; and ye shall go 
forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." — Mai. 4 :2. 

"Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf 
that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let 
the people be assembled : who among them can declare this, and 
show us former things? Let them bring forth their witnesses, 
that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say. It is 
truth."— Isa. 43:8, 9. 

Prophecy fulfilled. "The people which sat in darkness saw 
great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of 
death light is sprung up." — Matt. 4:16. 

"To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow 
of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace." — Luke 1 :79. 

"And great multitudes came unto Him, having with them those 
that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast 
them down at Jesus' feet and He healed them : insomuch that the 



148 DiyiNE HEALING. 

multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the 
maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see ; 
and they glorified the God of Israel."' — Matt. 15 :30, 31. 

To the mind of every one who loves the truth, the preceding 
scriptures of prophecy and their fulfillment are so plain as to need 
no explanation. Indeed it is with regret that the thought is enter- 
tained for a moment, that it is necessary to make any remarks upon 
what has been written by holy inspiration, and afterwards so 
minutely fulfilled. Every infidel who has ever read these 
prophecies and then read the life of Jesus of Nazareth, must in his 
heart acknowledge a beautiful fulfillment. Every Christian on 
earth should bow in reverence before God for this wonderful truth, 
and give thanks to Him for the office work of the Holy Spirit, 
who moved upon the hearts of men in the centuries before Pente- 
cost, and spoke through them of the life and sufferings of Christ, 
and the glory that should follow, and who now shines into our 
hearts and makes us understand that this Jesus is He of whom 
"Moses in the law and the prophets did write." Ah, more than 
this. He enables us to see that to us who have reached the end of 
the age, and upon whom the ends of the world have come, it is 
granted that we may apply in faith to this living word and 
receive healing, and testify to the world that He is Jesus Christ, 
the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Yet there are many, 
and it must be said that the number are largely in the majority, 
professing to be believers in Christ, who through the doctrines and 
commandments of men, are blind to these precious truths, and the 
blind leaders of the blind are holding these masses in this gross 
darkness. 

God pity them and grant repentance, that they may come to 
the light. Let us thank God as our Master did, that he has "hid 
these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto 
babes," and let us all pray that we may remain simple enough to 
take God at His word. 

As we turn to Isaiah, the "Gospel Prophet," we see him on 
yonder mountain of inspiration, looking through the telescope 
of faith down the centuries to the gospel dispensation. Behold, 
a marvelous sight breaks upon his vision, and he cries out, 
"O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with 
strength ; lift it up, be not afraid ; say unto the cities of Judah, 
. . . Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and 
His arm shall rule for Him. . . . He giveth power to the faint ; 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 149 

and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." — Isa. 
40 :9, 10, 29. "Then the eyes of the bhnd shall be opened, and 
the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man 
leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." — Isa. 35 :5, 6. 

He sees many other beautiful sights, but we can only take 
notice of a few of his wonderful words. "Then the eyes of the 
blind shall be opened." When? Then, he answers. ''Then shall 
the lame man leap as an hart." It was not known at that time 
that the eyes of the blind had been opened. This was to take place 
in the gospel age, which is the then of which the prophet speaks. 
The blind man who was healed at Siloam testifies, saying, 
"Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened 
the eyes of one that was born blind." Blind eyes may have been 
opened previous to the life and ministry of Christ, but there is 
no mention made of it, and it is plainly stated that miracles of 
this nature, and those mentioned in the text under consideration, 
were to characterize the gospel age. All who looked for the 
Messiah, also looked for these signs to accompany him. How 
wonderful, then, that when He did come so many would not 
believe Him, in the face of the very works that were prophesied 
should be manifested. The trouble was they did not believe Moses 
and the prophets ; "For," said Jesus, "had ye believed Moses, ye 
would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me." 

When John the Baptist heard of the works of Jesus, and sent 
two of his disciples to ask if he was the One that should come, the 
answer was, "Go and show John again the things that ye do and 
hear and see. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk : 
the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear," etc. This was suffi- 
cient evidence to the inquiring disciples of John that He was the 
Christ. Jesus did not answer them directly, but simply referred 
them to the works that He did. Who but the Christ could do 
those things? Therefore, they could easily believe in Him. He 
did the works that no other man did, and all whose hearts were 
not blinded by sin believed, for He fulfilled the prophecy which 
testified of Him. 

Again the prophet speaks of his vision of this glorious redemp- 
tion, saying, "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our 
sorrows." — Isa. 53 :4. What wonderful tidings. Is it possible 
that every grief and sorrow of our life has been borne by Him ? 
Surely, says the answer. But this seems too wonderful to be 
true. "Surely He hath borne them," comes the voice of inspira- 



150 DI VINE HEALING. 

tion. But we are not worthy, we all like sheep have gone astray. 
We have fallen among many sorrows. Yea, they compass us 
about like clouds, and we are pressed down and languishing 
beneath their burdens. "Surely he hath borne them," says God. 
Well, that is wonderful, but there are so many of us who have 
griefs and sorrows. He might be able to relieve a few of us, but 
how about the griefs and sorrows of the whole world? ''Surely 
He hath borne them!" Well, then we will just obey God and 
receive it. We will believe what He hath done, and ever live in 
grateful acceptance of His infinite mercy. 

It will be profitable here to notice a few points in the transla- 
tion of this text. That the common version fails to bring out 
the true meaning and mind of the Spirit, is admitted by all who 
have given due attention to it. It is also very conclusively proved 
by the reference to this text in Matt. 8 :17, where it is plainly given 
us in connection with the work of the healing of all manner of 
sicknesses and diseases, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken 
by Esaias the prophet, saying, ''Himself took our iniirmities, and 
hare our sicknesses/' This is the true meaning of the text, as will 
be seen. We can praise God for this divine interpretation of this 
verse. It so unmistakably tells us that the word "griefs" should 
be translated sicknesses, and "sorrows" should be trans- 
lated infirniities. Truly it is wonderful. There is no 
shadow of perversion in this. It is true as heaven. The enemies 
of present-day divine healing fight this position with great persist- 
ency ; for to admit it, means to admit healing into the atonement, 
which, of course, opens the gateway and sends the stream of 
primitive healing down the centuries to our present time, in the 
same current with salvation. This the Devil will not admit until 
he must. Let us rejoice and be thankful that he must. 

It has been strongly argued that God does not heal, since the 
days of the apostles. But when miracles and testimonies of God's 
people today overthrow this argument and force the Devil from 
this position, then another infamous deception is advanced ; namely, 
that healing is not for all of God's children, that there are only a 
few special favorites in His family upon whom He sees proper 
to bestow this blessing, and that healing is not in the atonement. 
It is also argued that the statement "Himself took our infirmities 
and bare our sicknesses" was spoken of as in the past tense, and 
could have no reference to the atonement, which was then yet 
in the future, and that the works of healing in the ministry of 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 151 

Christ were all done before the atonement on Calvary was made. 
From such a standpoint there would indeed be but little to be hoped 
for in prophecy. When the prophet beheld this wonderful sight 
there were many centuries between him and Christ, but that he 
saw the atonement on Calvary, there can be no reasonable ques- 
tion. Isa. 53 :5 helps to make this clear. "But He was wounded 
for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities ; the 
chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes 
we are healed." Who will dare to utter one word against this 
voice of inspiration ? Ah, rather let daylight blush to own the sun, 
or evening, a star, than man fail to recognize in this wonderful 
scripture, the redemption of the cross. 

Dear reader, take your Bible once more and turn to this 
precious prophecy. Oh, what does the prophet see? Do you 
not catch the holy inspiration of glory as it beams from his face 
and you hear his wonderful words? The world is wrapped in 
darkness. Sin, disease, and death are dashing their angry billows 
of destruction upon the ruined race, but with piercing rays of 
heavenly light, like from a mighty lighthouse flashing over the 
dark water, he sees the cross, the blessed cross. He turns back 
with uplifted voice which with heavenly clearness rings out, and is 
distinctly heard through every decade of history, back to Adam 
at the fall, and then looks forward to the end of time, when the 
last son or daughter of the race of Adam shall be born. We 
hear that voice ringing through the ages, and with outstretched 
hand pointing to the cross, saying, "Surely Himself took our in- 
firmities and bare our sicknesses." Our iniquities are all laid upon 
Him. The stroke of justice which we should have received hath 
fallen upon Him. Beloved sufferer, let us rejoice and be glad. Let 
us bow down and worship Him who was nailed to the cross 
of Calvary, and let us also cry aloud the tidings of redemption, that 
none may fail to receive the blessed invitation to come and be 
free. 

It has been taught by many that redemption from sin is 
prophesied in this text and it applies to all, down to the end of 
time, but not so with healing. We would ask but one question 
here: Who has a right to subtract healing from this text? 
Beware, lest some one be found guilty of taking from the prophecy 
of this book. We might as safely subtract salvation from this 
atonement scripture as to subtract healing from it. If both 
were to be weighed in the balance of testimony in the personal 



152 DiriXE EEALI^'G. 

ministry of Christ, healing would have the advantage ; but it is 
not our object to thus take advantage, but rather that the light of 
divine inspiration might be thrown upon the doctrine of healing, 
which has so long been darkened by the mists and clouds of un- 
belief. Instead of a biased faith, let us reverently come to the 
cross, and accept the full redemption purchased there for us. 

With respect to the thought advanced concerning the personal 
ministry of Christ not being the atonement on the cross, and the 
text, "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses," conse- 
quently not applicable to the atonement, we will simply say that it 
took the whole life and period of His earthly ministry to fulfill 
His mission of love, mercy, and sacrifice to our fallen race, the 
earlier part of which was but the beginning, and was to continue 
until He by the grace of God "tasted death for every man," and 
thereby fulfilled what ~\Ioses in the law and the prophets wrote 
concerning Him. Hear His own testimony after He rose from the 
dead: ''Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to sufifer." 
—Luke 24:46. 

We cannot refrain from, adding the testimony of some of the 
ablest Hebrew scholars and translators concerning Isa. 53 :4. 
One of the best gives the following translation: ''Surely our 
sicknesses hath He taken upon Him, ajid our sorrows He hath 
carried them." Albert Barnes says the word translated griefs in 
Isaiah and infirmities in Matthew, means properly in the Hebrew 
and the Greek, diseases of the body. Archbishop Magee assigns 
the same meaning to these words. In Robert Young's translation 
of this verse we read, "Surely our sicknesses He hath home, and 
our pains He hath carried them." Isaac Leeser translates: ''But 
only our diseases did He hear Himself , and our pains He carried." 
Other valuable testimony might be added, but certainly it is not 
needed by any who have a willing and ready mind for the truth 
of this text. 

While rejoicing in the tidings of this glorious redemption 
through the words of the prophet, again we hear him sounding 
forth in holy exclamation these words: "To open the blind eyes, 
to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in 
darkness out of the prison-house." — Isa. 42 :T. 

Again he beholds the blessed Redeemer in His ministry and 
compassion, and says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me : because 
the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; 
He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 153 

to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are 
bound.'' — Isa. 61 :1. 

Were there ever any words spoken from heaven that more 
beautifully portray the life and character of Christ? The most 
skeptical ought to be convinced of the divinity of prophecy in 
these few verses. Time and space might be occupied in testimony 
to prove that this signifies the saving and healing ministry of 
Christ, but let us go to Him direct, and receive His personal 
testimony of Himself. As He returned from His temptation in 
the wilderness He entered in the power of the Spirit into His 
native town. On the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, 
and by permission of the minister opened the book of the prophet 
Isaiah to the very words we have just quoted, and read them to 
the people. He closed the book and said, "This day is this scrip- 
ture fulfilled in your ears." — Luke 4 :18, 31. 

The reader will see by a careful perusal of connecting state- 
ments, that Jesus was fulfilling this prophecy by His mighty works 
of healing. While He could do but little in His own country 
because of their unbelief. He speaks to them of the mighty works 
He had wrought in Capernaum, and tells them why they are not 
enjoying the same unspeakable blessings. They would not believe 
the words of the prophet which He had read in their hearing. 

Why did the widow of Sarepta, and Naaman the Syrian, 
receive such blessings? Because they believed the words of the 
prophets. This was the secret, but the people who professed to be 
the children of Abraham and the prophets, would not believe, and 
rose up and thrust the Son of God out of their city and tried to 
take his life. What blessings they missed, and what divine dis- 
pleasure they incurred, but not more so than many of the professed 
children of Abraham are doing today. Oh, let us believe the 
prophets and enjoy the glorious provisions of mercy through faith 
in Christ. 

The Holy Spirit does not speak these prophetic truths through 
Isaiah alone. Just before the close of the Old Testament inspira- 
tion, we hear the voice of healing again sounding forth to the 
suffering world. Let us listen and catch every syllable of these 
words of cheer, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of 
righteousness arise with healing in his wings ; and ye shall go 
forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." — Mai. 4:2. This 
glorious Sun began to shine in fulfillment of these inspiring words 
when Jesus began to preach repentance in Galilee. The people 



154 DIVINE HEALING. 

were sitting in darkness, and in the region and shadow of death, 
but Hght sprang up upon those who feared the name of Jehovah. 
The sunrise hghted up the heavens with His glorious brightness of 
heahng. The gloom of oppression was dispelled from the sad 
hearts of all who came to him. His fame went abroad throughout 
the land. The Holy Spirit whispered to every God-fearing suf- 
ferer the words of the prophet, "Arise and shine ; for thy light is 
come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." He testifies of 
Himself, "I am the hght of the world." He gave this ''light of 
life" to all who would receive it ; His wings of healing stretched 
out to "whosoever will." How brightly this glorious light shone 
during his earthly personal ministry! The cross only added bril- 
liancy to it. His ascension to the right hand of the Majesty in the 
heavens intensified it still more by the Pentecostal glory which 
followed, until the whole earth was illuminated by His heavenly 
brightness. His "saving health" was heralded forth and all who 
obeyed his voice were healed and grew up in divine strength as 
"calves of the stall." 

This Sun of righteousness still shines in the heavens. His 
primitive glory has not diminished. All who fear His name find 
His healing wings overspreading them and dispelling every sick- 
ness and sorrow. The dark ages of superstition and unbelief issu- 
ing from the bottomless pit, have clouded the sky and darkened the 
sun for many hundred years, but the piercing rays of the Sun of 
righteousness have penetrated the darkness as He sinks into the 
western horizon of this gospel day. The clouds are scattered, and 
behold the glorious light is shining upon the suffering world as in 
the morning. We need not wonder that the light was not clear 
in the past centuries, but now, there is no one without excuse. 
Prophetic inspiration tells us of this blessed period of light which 
has followed the gloom of the dark ages. But it shall be one day 
which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night : but it shall 
come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light." — Zech. 14:7. 
Thank God, the Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings is 
shining upon his people. 

The keen vision of prophecy has beheld all this. The Lord 
of hosts hath spoken it, that Christ the Savior of men shall be the 
Healer of his people. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and 
thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be unto Him for- 
ever and ever. 




DR. RICHMOND WRITING HIS BOOK. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 157 



DIVINE HEALING. 

The picture represents Dr. S. A. Richmond in the act of 
writing, through inspiration, his wonderful book on divine heal- 
ing, entitled "An Illustrated Pictorial History of the Life of 
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Author and Founder of 
Divine Healing" ; also, giving a Biblical history of Christ's life, 
together with his miracles and healing powers, and giving a full 
and complete illustrated account of all the cures and miracles He 
performed while here on earth. This book is illustrated with many 
beautiful pictures, showing Christ going about on His errands 
of mercy and doing good, and distributing the leaves of the tree 
of life. These leaves are for the healing of the nations. This 
is the first and only book of the kind ever written. It is the key 
to the scriptures, and unlocks the portals containing the secrets 
of divine healing and reveals them unto man. It is, indeed, a book 
of revelations from start to finish. It is a doctor in every home 
and should be in the hand of every man, woman and child in the 
land. It teaches them how they can heal all of their diseases. 
You must not think or even dream that you can grasp these gospel 
truths by a simple perusal of its contents. It is a book like the 
Bible — it must be read and re-read and studied before you can 
understand its spiritual works. Then you will be able to grasp 
the spiritual facts, which you have never yet obtained, which 
makes it the best, the most useful and valuable book for man ever 
written outside of the Bible. It contains Christ's own words. It 
saves and reclaims the infidel and sinner, and its teaching, when 
applied by the spirit of God Almighty, will heal every known 
disease. It teaches what man ought to know, and it teaches him 
how to believe it. You wonder why there are so many infidels in 
the world to-day, those who do not believe the Bible. They claim 
that it contradicts itself. The Bible is all right, but the infidel 
is all wrong. He reads it literally and interprets its meaning 
through this material and mortal man, the devil's agent, the old 
deceiver and liar, and the father of his lies. God is not a ma- 
terial being. He is a spirit. In the first chapter of Genesis, 
verses 26 and 27, we read that God created man in his own image. 
Man being a spirit should read the Bible, God's word, spiritually 
and not materially. The scribes and Pharisees read Christ's 
words and works literallv and, of course, could not understand. 



158 DIVINE HEALING. 

Saul of Tarsus was the ringleader that stoned Stephen to 
death. He made havoc of the church, and entered every home 
of Christ's followers and dragged them to prison. The Lord 
sent a thunderbolt of spiritual lightning through Saul and struck 
him blind, and he was three days stone blind. The Lord sent 
Ananias unto Saul to heal him, and immediately there fell from 
his eyes, as it had been scales, and he received his sight and could 
read spiritually instead of materially, as he had been doing. Of 
course he could not understand, and he did not propose to let 
any one else understand. Christ's followers read His words spir- 
itually, and of course understood. When the scales dropped off 
Saul's eyes he could see spiritually. He became the best worker 
that Christ ever had and did more for God, Christ and Christianity 
than any other living man, outside of Christ. To the sick, to 
the bedridden and forlorn, I say, take cheer and read this book 
spiritually and not materially, and it will heal you of every ill. 
Your diseases will gradually disappear and it will seem like a 
dream to you, and you will wake up out of your Rip Van Winkle 
sleep into a new being, and you will wonder how it was done. 
By its timely use, this book will save thousands of lives annually, 
and millions in money where the book is read carefully, slowly 
and spiritually, and where its teachings are followed strictly to 
the letter and used and applied strictly and according to the spirit 
of God Almighty. It will heal every known disease, which places 
the value of this book beyond price. Many a millionaire who is 
sick nigh unto death would give millions for a remedy that 
would save his life. This remedy is within the reach of all, both 
rich and poor. This medicine is free to all. The poor street beg- 
gar can take it and be healed. 

Dr. S. A. Richmond's celebrated book on divine healing con- 
tains the formula how to use, take and apply this medicine, which 
makes this book very valuable and even beyond price. This book 
is handsomely bound and contains over 500 pages, and is an orna- 
ment to any library. Price $5.00. I insist that every patient that I 
treat must secure a copy of this book and read it, as the facts con- 
tained therein constitute the major part of my treatment. These 
facts they can only secure by reading the book. Send me $15.00 
— $10.00 to pay for one month's treatment and $5.00 to pay for 
the book. In treating the sick, I follow the rules and methods of 
treatment adopted by Jesus and Saint Paul. In giving absent treat- 
ment, I bless handkerchiefs and send to my patients, together with 
my other treatments. When remitting money to me, always send 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 159 

either in a post office money order, registered letter, or bank draft. 
Send no private checks. Also give your name in full, together with 
your post office, county and state address. 



GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. 

God answers all prayers by reason of fixed law. One law is 
that if you ask, seek and knock, placing yourself in line where 
the blessing is to be received when you pray, you will receive it. 
You can pray till doomsday, and your prayer will not have any 
effect unless you are in line where you should be when praying. 
You must come to God with a pure heart, free from malice, envy, 
hatred, lust, jealousy and vindictiveness. Come with love and a 
pure heart and your prayer will be heard. 

Prayer is always the preface to blessing. It goes before the 
blessing cls the blessing's shadow. When the sunlight of God's 
mercies rises upon our necessities, it casts the shadow of prayer 
far down upon the plain. Or, to use another illustration, when 
God piles up a hill of mercies, He Himself shines behind them, and 
He casts on our spirits the shadow of prayer, so that we may 
rest certain, if we are much in prayer, our pleadings are the 
shadows of mercy. Prayer is thus connected with the blessing 
to show us the value of it. If we had the blessings without asking 
for them, we should think them common things ; but prayer 
makes our mercies more precious than diamonds. The things 
we ask for are precious, but we do not realize their preciousness 
until we have sought for them earnestly. 

'Trayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw ; 
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw ; 
Gives exercise to faith and love; 
Brings every blessing from above." 

Mark the grand characteristic of true prayer — "In the Holy 
Ghost.'' The seed of acceptable devotion must come from heaven's 
storehouse. Only the prayer which comes from God can go to 
God. We must shoot the Lord's arrows back to Him. That 
desire which He writes upon our heart will move His heart and 
bring down a blessing, but the desires of the flesh have no 
power with Him. 



160 DIVINE HEALING 



Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying in fervency. Cold 
prayers ask the Lord not to hear them. Those who do not plead 
with fervency, plead not at all. As well speak of luke-warm fire 
as luke-warm prayer — it is essential that it be red-hot. It is 
praying perseveringly. The true suppliant gathers force as he 
proceeds, and grows more fervent when God delays to answer. 
The longer the gate is closed, the more vehemently does he use 
the knocker, and the longer the angel lingers, the more resolved 
is he that he will never let him go without the blessing. Beautiful 
in God's sight is tearful, agonizing, unconquerable importunity. It 
means praying humbly, for the Holy Spirit never puffs us up with 
pride. It is His office to convince of sin, and so to bow us down 
in contrition and brokenness of spirit. We shall never sing Gloria 
in excelsis except we pray to God De profundis : out of the depths 
must we cry, or we shall never behold glory in the highest. It is 
loving prayer. Prayer should be prfumed with love, 
saturated with love — love to our fellow saints, and 
love to Christ. Moreover, it must be a prayer full 
of faith. A man prevails only as he beleives. The 
Holy Spirit is the author of faith, and strengthens it so that we 
pray believing God's promise. Oh that this blessed combination 
of excellent graces, priceless, and sweet as the spices of the mer- 
chant, might be fragrant within us because the Holy Ghost is in 
our hearts ! Most blessed Comforter, exert Thy mighty power 
within us, helping our infirmities in prayer. 



THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN'S DAUGHTER. 

(matt. 15 :21.) 

This case is one of intercessory faith, although doubtless there 
was much need of individual repentance and faith on the part of 
the parents. The sad condition of being devil-possessed was very 
likely due to some sin of the parents, and, unless repented of, there 
would be no deliverance. This woman came asking for mercy. 
Although a Gentile, she implored the Son of David to consider her 
sorrow and grant deliverance from this grievance of her daughter. 
Jesus had never refused a case when asked for help. This mother 
perhaps had heard of this and was the more confident that He 



M I X D A X D FAITB C U RE . 1 61 

would not turn her away. But in this case, although she cried 
unto Him, He answered her not a word. What an unusual 
attitude this was for our compassionate Redeemer ! It could not 
be because she was a Gentile that He should thus treat her, for 
He had previous to this time shown mercy to the Gentile centurion 
and his servant. 

His disciples being surprised at this, requested Him to send her 
away — ''for she crieth after us." Her intense earnestness most 
certainly had not failed to attract His attention. His answer to 
the disciples was no encouragement to the woman. "I am not sent 
but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel," but she was not 
to be sent away on this ground. He had helped others outside of 
the children of Abraham, and she would not be turned away. In- 
stead of crying after Him any longer, or going away in despair, 
she now came to Him in the attitude of worship. Her faith was 
not to be shaken. At His feet she looks up to Him with pleading 
tones, saying, "Lord, help me." This time Jesus could not refuse 
giving an answer, but it would seem from an ordinary standpoint 
of reasoning, that this answer was more discouraging than ever. 
But not so to her faith, it only increased it when He said : "It is 
not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs." Who 
would not feel completely disheartened at such an answer from 
Jesus? It seems He never spoke like this before. But her faith 
found a blessed opportunity here, although she had no right 
to expect any of the children's bread. She was no child of Abra- 
ham, she knew this and hardly knew how to ask for help. But 
now in these words of Jesus she has found all she wishes for. Is 
not the little dog permitted to pick up the crumbs that fall from 
the table, and in this manner after all get some of the children's 
bread? She had already taken her place at His feet, and asked 
no greater favor than that shown to the master's little dog, only the 
crumbs. She answered Jesus and said, "Truth, Lord ; yet the dogs 
eat the crumbs which fall from the master's table." This was all 
she asked, and she had now done all that Jesus required. Her faith 
proved to be perfect. 

What an object lesson this was to the disciples. Is it not also to 
us ? This poor Gentile is suddenly honored with much more than 
she had asked for. Instead of one little crumb of the children's 
bread, she comes into the possession of a whole loaf. Jesus looks 
upon her in astonishment, and says, "O woman, great is thy 
faith : be it unto thee even as thou wilt." And her daughter was 
made whole from that very hour. 



162 DIVINE HEALING. 

THE DA]\ISEL AT PHILIPPL 
(ACTS 16:16.) 

Jesus commissioned His disciples to go forth preaching the 
gospel, and gave them power over all devils and diseases. This 
power was possessed both before and after Pentecost. Just before 
His ascension He had promised that among the signs that should 
follow them that believe, they should cast out devils in His name. 
The apostle Paul had this powder in his ministry at Philippi. 

The evil spirit in this damsel w^as ready to confess God, and 
the apostles as the servants of God, but no testimony of the Devil 
is acceptable with God. Jesus suffered not the devils to speak nor 
confess that He was Christ. As this spirit continued many days 
to cry out after the apostles, Paul commanded it in the name of 
Jesus Christ to come out of this damsel. At his w^ord it obeyed. 
The soothsaying spirit w^as gone. 

HEALING THE PARALYTIC. 

This miracle of healing was wrought by our Savior in His 
own tow^i where He had been brought up. He met with much 
unbelief in that place. 

\A/hen He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and opened 
the book of Isaiah and read some of the prophecy concerning 
Himself, and that '"this day is this scripture fulfilled in your 
ears," they w^ould not believe Him, and began at once to reason 
among themselves that they knew Jesus, and that He was the son 
of Joseph the carpenter, and w^ould not accept His testimony that 
He w^as the one w^ho came to heal the sick, to open the eyes of the 
blind, and to bind up the broken-hearted. He had done these 
things at Capernaum that had been prophesied of Him, because 
there the people believed in Him ; but at Nazareth they would not 
believe on him, and He knew they w^anted to see Him perform 
some of His miracles before accepting His interpretation of 
prophecy. But Jesus told them that if they would not believe 
the W'Ords of the prophet concerning Him, they w^ould not see any 
of His w^orks. 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE . 163 

The widow of Sarepta had a heart to beheve what the prophet 
said to her when he spoke to her of the miraculous manner God 
would provide for her until the end of the famine. Because she 
believed the word of the Lord, she received the benefit of God's 
blessings. 

Naaman the leper, though greatly mortified, and at first offend- 
ed by the word of the Lord through the prophet, who told him of 
God's remedy for his leprosy, after much persuasion, repented and 
obeyed, and was blessed with the fulfillment of the words of the 
prophet. Jesus applied this to the people of Nazareth, and clearly 
inferred that if they would but be as believing and obedient as 
the widow, or Naaman, concerning what the prophets said of Him, 
they would also receive the fulfillment of the same, and just such 
blessings as the people of Capernaum received ; but they would 
not, and were offended at Him and attempted to take His life. He 
left them and returned to Capernaum, but upon the occasion of 
healing this paralytic, Jesus had returned to Nazareth and began 
to preach to the people. Some had opened their hearts to God, and 
were listening eagerly to the words of life. They began to gather 
in a throng to hear Him. At this time this palsied man was carried 
on a bed by four of his friends to be healed of his disease. The 
crowd was so great that it was impossible for them to get the sick 
man to Jesus in any ordinary manner. They were so intensely in 
earnest that they could not wait until the crowd had dispersed. 
They must get this man to Jesus. They carried him upon the roof 
of the house, and breaking it open, let the man down at Jesus' feet. 
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to^ the man sick with the palsy, 
''Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." 

Let us therefore take courage and simply believe for our heal- 
ing, if we have not already obtained it, and not think that 
because we have heretofore failed to properly grasp the promises, 
they are not for us. We have the same right to be healed that the 
palsied man had, and if every seeker will but wait upon God, and 
partake of the promises, it shall be done. One great disadvantage 
of the present day is that we have been wrongly taught. We are 
ever ready to believe that God will save all who will come to Him, 
but our teachings are so different about healing. W^e must come 
therefore upon the same plane of faith for healing, and expect it to 
be done as if we were seeking pardon. Jesus teaches us in this les- 
son that He is just as willing and able to heal as He is to pardon, 
for He asks the question : 



164 DIVINE HEALING. 

"whether is easier, 

to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee ; or to say, Arise, and walk ?" No 
one doubts His power to do both, and no one should doubt His 
willingness. 

There is a theory advocated by some of the enemies of the 
truth, that Jesus healed this sick man only to prove to the people 
that He had power to forgive sins, and thus established His 
divinity : but no such meaning can scripturally be deducted from 
this act of our Savior. The old threadbare doctrine of our modern 
theologians, that Jesus healed the people in the days of His and 
the apostles' ministry, to establish His divinity, finds no support 
here. His healing power very likely served its purpose to help con- 
firm in the minds of those who already believed in Him, the fact 
that He was indeed the Christ, but He had a much higher object 
in view in healing than this. It was His great compassion toward 
sufi^ering humanity, and the fulfillment of prophecy in His redemp- 
tion work, which reaches the bodv as well as the soul. (Read 
Matt. 8:1T; 14:14; 20:34; :\Iark 1:41; 9:22; Luke 7:13.) 

If divine healing was for the sole purpose of establishing the 
divinity of Christ in the first century, then it is a present-day neces- 
sity for the same purpose, and should not have ceased with the 
first century. Our modern D. D.s afiirm that miracles of healing 
ceased then, for healing was only to prove the divinity of Christ. 
If this is true, is not healing as necessary to prove His divinity 
now as it was then ? If healing is but an historical fact, then the 
divinity of Christ is also but historical. If He healed in the first 
century to prove that He had power on earth to forgive sins, then 
healing is just as necessary in the twentieth century to prove that 
He still has power on earth to forgive sins. 

This places the D. D.s in an unpleasant position. Their 
doctrine affords them no place of refuge for self-justification. 
They would be wiser to acknowledge their unbelief and repent. 
The gospel declares that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and 
today and forever. History proves it to be true, through the 
centuries, and thank God, there are thousands of God's people 
among the kindreds, tongues, and nations of earth who are glad to 
testify to the fact that Jesus is the Christ and the Healer of His 
people now. His compassionate heart yearns in mercy toward 
suffering humanity, and is ever ready to bless and heal. 



MIND AN D FAIT H CURE . 165 

We boldly declare that Jesus never employed divine healing 
simply as a credential of His divinity. There was a certain degree 
of faith required upon the part of every responsible person who was 
healed by Him. The majority, if not all, the people who received 
Him at all, were such as had believed the preaching of John, who 
testified to the near coming of the Christ. They had obedient hearts 
like this paralytic, and came hungering for the blessings which 
they believed He was able and willing to bestow. If healing and 
miracles were his credentials. He would have produced them at 
Nazareth at the time the people refused His testimony and cast 
Him out of their city. He could do no mighty work there because 
of their unbelief, except that he healed a few sick ones ; and these 
few were certainly those who believed in Him, of whom the subject 
of our lesson was one. It is not the design of God to gratify th(r 
curiosity of an unbelieving world, that they should thus be com- 
pelled to believe, and there is nothing in the word of God to justify 
such a doctrine. When the dear Man of sorrows was suffering our 
infirmities and bearing our sicknesses on the cross, those very 
people who had seen some of His wonderful works wrought upon 
those who believed, but had themselves rejected Him, said to Him 
as He was now groaning in death, 'Tf thou be the Son of God, 
come down from the cross." Even the chief of priests, scribes, and 
elders said they would believe in Him if He would come down 
from the cross. The trouble with them was they were disobedient 
to God. They did not believe Moses nor John, and therefore would 
not have believed in Jesus, even though he would have come down 
from the cross. 

No, dear sufferer, He healed because He had a heart full of 
mercy and compassion, and now since He has been exalted to the 
right hand of God, He is still our living High Priest, touched with 
the feeling of our infirmities, and has, by His redemption, 
spoken away our diseases, we must believe it, and come boldlv 
unto the throne of grace and obtain the desired blessing. 




YOUNG MAN, I SAY UNTO THEE, ARISE. 



MIXD AND FAITH CURE. 169 

YOUNG MAN, I SAY UNTO THEE, ARISE. 
(LUKE 7:11-15.) 

"And it came to pass the day after, that He went into a city 
called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and 
much people. 

"Now, when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, 
there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, 
and she was a widow : and much people of the city was with 
her. 

"And when the Lord saw her. He had compassion on her, and 
said unto her. Weep not. 

"And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare Iiiiii 
stood still. And he said. Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 

"And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He 
delivered him to his mother." 

THE DUMB MAN. 

(LUKE 11 :14.) 

In this case this man had an evil spirit that held his power of 
speech under control. This affliction may exist without the indi- 
vidual being possessed. It may be a case where the person is 
bound or oppressed by the Devil, but in this case we see this man 
was possessed with a dumb Devil, but when the Devil was cast 
out the dumb spake. In Matt. 13 :22 we have an instance where 
one was possessed, who was both blind and dumb. As soon as 
the devil was cast out the man spake and saw. Who could scrip- 
turally deny that Satan is the author of disease and affliction ? 

WOMAN WHO HAD AN INFIRMITY EIGHTEEN YEARS. 
(LUKE 13:10-13.) 

"And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath 
"And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of in- 
firmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no 
wise lift up herself. 



170 DIVINE HEALING. 

"And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto 
her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 

"And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was 
made straight, and glorified God." 

This was a case of helpless deformity. The poor woman was 
" bowed together and could in no wise lift up herself." What a 
sad sight ! How the loving heart of Jesus must have been touched 
with compassion as He beheld the sufferer. He again shows His 
deep interest here in our bodies. How can we dare doubt His 
willingness to heal? This blessed expression of His love should 
inspire a deeper faith in the heart of every sufferer. 

This interesting case throws much light on the origin of 
disease. There is much speculation upon this subject among a 
certain class of would-be teachers, who are not willing to let 
Jesus speak and decide the question as to the author of diseases. 
The New Testament speaks with decided clearness in this re- 
spect. The case of the affliction of Job agrees thereto. There 
are a few references, which, if placed in a disconnected position, 
might lead the mind to the conclusion that God is the author of 
disease. But such deduction cannot harmonize with the gospel. 

God permits Satan to bind with disease, which may perhaps 
serve as a chastisement in certain instances ; but if every one who 
may be under such chastising, would seek diligently to know the 
cause of and remedy for it, then in faith meet the conditions for 
healing, the disease would vanish. God is glorified in sickness 
only'in the same respect that He is glorified in any of the works of 
the Devil — by destroying it. Jesus has come to work the works 
of God (Jno. 9 :4:), and to destroy the works of the Devil. 1 Jno. 
3 :8 ; Acts 10 :38. His work in His earthly ministry was going 
" about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the 
Devil." He did not undo the works of God, but did undo the 
works of the Devil, by working the works of God. He said, " I 
must work the works of Him that sent me." Let us not be so in- 
consistent as to believe that disease is the work of God. Jesus did 
not come to work against God, but He came the Prince of Life to 
overthrow the law of sin, disease and death, and establish the law 
of the Spirit of Life. 

Jesus called her to Him. We see here the need of personal 
contact with Him. We must come within touch of Jesus if we 
would have His healing life flow into our life. The woman ex- 
pressed her faith in coming to Him. He said unto her, " Woman, 




WAS DISEASED S AND 30 YEARS. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 171 

thou art loosed from thine infirmity." What gracious words ! 
They were personally addressed to one who had been held with an 
iron grasp for eighteen long years. What dark and hopeless sea- 
sons must have hung over her, as from year to year she groaned 
under this oppression. In the language of one who has recently 
been healed, '' I was trying to reconcile myself to a life ot weak- 
ness and sufifering." So this woman perhaps had tried to become 
reconciled to her condition, and, like many to-day, thought it was 
God's will for her to continue in this awful bondage for life. 
Thank God, the day of her deliverance came. The Deliverer 
stands by her side and speaks away the spirit of infirmity and 
all its work. He smites the fetters and says to the captive, " Go 
free." 

The call comes from Him; she obeys and comes. He speaks 
the word of healing ; she believes. He lays His hands upon her ; 
she receives, and immediately she was made straight. 

This miracle of healing was wrought in the synagogue on the 
Sabbath. The ruler was at once filled with indignation, and began 
to plead the sanctity of the fourth commandment in the law, but 
Jesus proved to him that He had acted in perfect harmony with 
the spirit of the law, and only did an act of mercy and love to 
this woman. 

" She glorified God." This was a natural result of the work 
of God in her body. With the healing touch comes the glory of 
God in the entire being, and the blessed result always brings glory 
to God. Would we see God greatly glorified in these days of 
unbelief? Let us get in touch with Jesus for our healing. This 
not only causes the healed to glorify God, but as in this instance 
the people rejoice; not those who are filled with prejudice, but 
all those whose hearts are open to God. 



JESUS ON THE SABBATH DAY CURETH HIM THAT 
WAS DISEASED EIGHT AND THIRTY YEARS. 

''After this there was a feast of the Jews ; and Jesus went up 
to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a 
pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five 
porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of 
blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For 
an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled 



172 DIVIDE HEALING. 

the water : whosoever then first after the troubhng of the water 
stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And 
a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight 
years. When Jesus saw him he, and knew that he had been now 
a long time in that case, he saith unto him. Wilt thou be made 
whole? The impotent man answered him. Sir, I have no man, 
when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool : but while T 
am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto 
him, Rise, take up thy bed and walk. And immediately the man 
was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked ; and on the 
same day was the Sabbath." — John 5 :l-9. 

The scene of this miracle was Bethesda, a pool, according to 
the evangelist, adjoining the sheep market, or near to the sheep 
gate; the place through which, I suppose the cattle consumed by 
the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be driven ; and the pool where, 
perhaps, the sheep intended for sale to the offerers in the temple 
were washed. So common was sickness in the days of the Savior, 
that the infirmities of men intruded upon the place which had 
been allotted to cattle, and the place where sheep had been 
washed, became the spot where sick folk congregated in great 
multitudes, longing for a cure. We do not hear that any one 
remonstrated at the intrusion, or that public opinion was shocked. 
The needs of man must override all considerations of taste. The 
hospital must have the preference over the sheep market. This 
day there is by the sheep market a pool, and impotent folk are 
here in exceeding great multitudes. 

We might never have heard of Bethesda, if an august visitor 
had not condescended to honor it with His presence — Jesus, the 
Son of God, walked in the five porches by the pool. It was the 
place where we might expect to meet Him, for where should the 
Physician be found if not in the place where the sick are gathered ? 
Here was work for Jesus' healing hand and restoring word. It 
was but natural that the Son of Man, who "came to seek and to 
save that which was lost, should make His way to the lazar-house 
by the side of the pool. That gracious visit is Bethesda's glory. 
This has lifted up the name of this pool out of the common rank 
of the springs and waters of the earth. 

1. In order to observe the patient, I shall ask you to go with 
me to the pool with the five porches, around which the sick are 
lying. Walk tenderly amongst the groups of lame and blind ! 
Nay, do not close your eyes. It will do you good to see the sor- 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 173 

rowful sight to mark what sin has done, and to what sorrows our 
father Adam has made us heirs. 

Why are they all here? They are here because sometimes the 
waters bubble up with a healing virtue. Whether visibly stirred 
by an angel or not it is not necessary for us here to discuss ; but 
it was generally believed that an angel descended and touched the 
water — this rumor attracted the sick from all quarters. As soon 
as the stir was seen in the waters, the whole mass probably leaped 
into the pool — those who could not leap themselveswere pushed in 
by their attendants. Alas ! how small the result ! Many were dis- 
appointed; only one was rewarded for the leap; whosoever ftrst 
stepped in was healed, but only the first. For the poor and meager 
chance of winning this cure the sick folk lingered in Bethesda's 
arches year after year. The impotent man in the narrative had 
most likely spent the better part of his thirty-eight years in wait- 
ing at this famous pool, buoyed up by the slender hope that he 
might one day be the first of the throng. On the Sabbath men- 
tioned, the angel had not come to him, but something better had 
come, for Jesus Christ, the angel's Master, was there. 

Note concerning this man, that he zvas fully azvare of his 
sickness. He did not dispute the failure of his health : he was an 
impotent man'; he felt it and he owned it. 

The impotent man thus desiring to be healed, zvaited by the 
pool, expecting some sign and wonder. He hoped that an angel 
would suddenly burst open the golden gates and touch the waters 
which were now calm and stagnant, and that then he might be 
healed. This, too, my dear readers, is the thought of many of 
those who feel their sins and who desire salvation. They accept 
that unscriptural and dangerous advice given to them by a certain 
class of ministers ; they wait at the pool of Bethesda ; they per- 
severe in the formal use of means and ordinances, and continue 
in unbelief, expecting some great thing. They abide in a con- 
tinued refusal to obey the gospel, and yet expect that on a sudden 
they will experience some strange emotions, singular feelings, or 
remarkable impressions ; they hope to see a vision, or hear a super- 
natural voice, or be alarmed with deliriums of horror. Now, dear 
readers, we shall not deny that a few persons have been saved by 
very singular interpositions of God's hand, in a manner alto- 
gether out of the ordinary modes of divine procedure. When 
the Lord bids you believe in Jesus, what right have you to de- 
mand signs and wonders instead? Jesus Himself is the greatest 



174 D IT ly E H E ALIX G . 

of all wonders. ]\Iy dear readers, for you to wait for remarkable 
experiences is as futile as was the Avaiting of the multitude who 
lingered at Bethesda waiting for the long-expected angel, when 
He who could heal them stood already in their midst, neglected and 
despised by them. AMiat a piteous spectacle, to see them gazing 
into the clouds when the Physician who could heal them was 
present, and they offered Him no petitions, and sought no mercy 
at His hands. 

In dealing with the method of waiting to see or feel some great 
thing, we remark, that if is not the z^'ay zi'Jiich God Jias bidden his 
servants preach. I challenge the whole world to find any gospel 
of God in which an unconverted man is told to abide in unbelief. 
AVhere is the sinner told to wait upon God in the use of ordinances, 
that so he may be saved? The gospel of our salvation is this — 
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." AMien 
our Lord gave this commission to his disciples, he said, "Go ye 
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." An i 
what was that gospel? Tell them to wait in their unbelief in the 
use of means and ordinances till they see some great thing? Tell 
them to be diligent in prayer, and read the word of God, until 
they feel better? Xot an atom of it. Thus saith the Lord, 
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that be- 
lieveth not shall be damned." This was the gospel, and the only 
gospel which Jesus Christ ever bade His ministers preach, and 
they who say, wait for feelings ! wait for impressions ! wait for 
wonders ! they preach another gospel which is not another ; but 
there be some that trouble you. The lifting up of Christ on the 
cross is the saving work of the gospel ministry, and in the cross 
of Jesus lies the hope of men. "Look unto me and be ye saved, 
all the ends of the earth." is God's gospel. "Wait at the pool" is 
man's gospel, and has destroyed its thousands. 

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man 
his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have 
mercy upon him." He has not said, "Wait,'' but He has said, "Seek 
ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is 
near." "To-day if ye Avill hear His voice, harden not your hearts." 
I find Jesus saying nothing to sinners about waiting, but very much 
about coming. "Come unto ]\Ie,all ye that labor and are heavy laden 
and I will give you rest." "If any man thirst, let him come unto 
me and drink." "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let 
him that heareth say. Come. And let him that is athirst come. 
And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freelv." 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 175 

Why is this way so very popular ? It is because it administers 
laudanum to the conscience. When the minister preaches with 
power, and the hearer's lieart is touched, the Devil says, "W^ait 
for a more convenient season." Thus the arch enemy pours this 
deadly drug into the soul, and the sinner instead of trusting in 
Jesus on the spot, or on bended knee with tearful eye, crying for 
mercy, flatters himself because he is "in the use of the means" : 
which use of means is well enough as far as it goes, but which 
is bad as bad can be when it comes into the place of Christ cruci- 
fied. A child ought to hear its parent's command, but what if 
the child puts hearing into the place of obeying? God forbid 
that I should glory in your listening to the gospel, if you are 
hearers only — my glory is in the cross ; and unless you look to the 
cross, it were better for you that you had never been born. 

There lies our poor friend, still waiting at the water's edge. 
I do not blame him for waiting, for Jesus had not been there be- 
fore, and it was right for him to seize even the most slender chance 
of a cure ; but it was sad that Jesus should have been so slighted : 
there He went, threading His way among the blind, and the halt, 
and the lame, and looking benignly upon them all, but none looking 
up to him. Now in other places, as soon as Jesus made His ap- 
pearance, they brought the sick in their beds and laid them at His 
feet, and as He went along He healed them all, scattering mercies 
with both His hands. A blindness had come over these people at 
the pool ; there they were, and there was Christ, who could heal 
them, but not a single one of them sought him. Their eyes were 
fixed on the water, expecting it to be troubled ; they were so taken 
up with their own chosen way that the true way was neglected. 
No mercies were distributed, for none were sought. 



THE MAN AT BETHESDA. 

Jesus was always ready to take notice of every sufferer. He 
came to seek and save that which was lost, and his deep interest 
in the sick, equally testifies that our infirmities and sicknesses were 
an important part of his redemption interests. 

He never failed to manifest his care for the physical as well 
as the spiritual man. To Him the one is equally as precious as 
the other. Both have cost His precious life, and without the re- 
demption of both, our salvation is incomplete. How much of the 



176 D IV IN E H EALiy G. 

redemption of the body there is contained in our present salvation 
can easily be determined by the work of healing in the ministry 
of Jesus and the apostles. Whatever is yet to be accomplished 
when Jesus comes, when this mortal shall put on immortality, is 
yet in the future. Then the power of physical death shall be ut- 
terly destroyed, but until then, and on this side of the Lord's 
coming, it is our blessed privilege to possess all that Jesus brought 
when He established the law of the spirit of life. In this divine 
law we can unhesitatingly affirm with scriptural authority that 
God placed as high an estimate upon the physical as upon the spir- 
itual part of our being. Even though the one returns to dust, that 
very dust of His sleeping saints is precious in His sight, and shall 
be brought forth incorruptible. 

The word of God abounds with light upon this subject, and 
seeing that not an atom of our being is left out of the redemption 
plan, let us seek more fully to glorify God in our spirit and body 
which are God's by coming into full possession of our present in- 
heritance. 

WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE.^ 

Here is one of the most hopeless and helpless cases mentioned 
in the ministry of Christ. This man was hopeless. 1. He was an 
incurable. 2. He had no one to carry him into the pool. 3. He 
was depending upon a very questionable, if not an entirely super- 
stitious means of cure. 4. He had his prospect of healing and 
all his faith entirely in the future. So according to all earthly 
prospects this was one of the most discouraging and helpless cases. 
This perhaps is why Jesus came to him unsolicited. His sym- 
pathy was drawn out to him in an unusual manner. What an 
example of tender care for the welfare of the body — this poor 
mortal with an infirmity of thirty-eight years' standing, being ad- 
dressed by the Son of God in this manner ! It teaches us that the 
more helpless we are the more deeply concerned is He for us. 

There is no other case where Jesus came and almost asked 
for the privilege to heal. Surely He is touched with the feeling 
of our infirmities, and no one to-day has reason to get discouraged ; 
for there is no one any more hopeless than this man was at 
Bethesda. When Jesus asked him this question he was yet wholly 
absorbed in the thought of help through the pool, but Jesus quickly 
turned his mind from all this into auite another direction. How 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE . 177 

practical this is in the case of every one to-day who is leaning upon 
the help of man or human remedies ! The first thing necessary 
is to get done with everything else which must, and will sooner 
or later, prove as unsatisfactory as did Bethesda to this poor 
sufferer. God wants an opportunity to do His own work in His 
own way in everyone of his suffering children, but we must let 
Him have a chance. We must let go of our foolish beliefs and 
superstitions, doubts and fears, and launch out upon the everlasting 
promises which alone can bring us the desires of our hearts. All 
the stagnant pools of medical or scientific device will never satisfy. 
Millions of sufferers have perished while lying helpless upon these 
porches waiting for some imaginary angel to touch and impart 
healing virtue to these waters. O afflicted child of God, turn 
away from all these things, and lift up thine eyes unto the hills 
from whence cometh thy help. Behold the throne of grace out 
of which proceedeth a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, 
pure as heaven, abundant and perennial with healing virtue and 
blessing for our spiritual and physical being. 

No matter how helpless or hopeless you are, there is help in 
Him who is mighty to deliver. He comes to you by His Holy 
Spirit just now tenderly asking you, . , 

"Wilt thou be made whole ? Wilt thou be made whole ? 
Oh, come, weary sufferer, Oh, come, sin-sick soul. 
See the life stream is flowing, see the cleansing waves roll ; 
Step into the current and thou shalt be whole." 

Others may step down before you and receive life, but the 
stream continues to flow. All who have gone in before you cannot 
exhaust its power. It flows on and on as it has ever done through 
the centuries, " bearing balm for the wounded, healing all who 
apply." Step in, dear child of God, it is only a step of faith ; you 
can take it if you but make the effort. If you do not succeed in 
the first effort, keep looking to God for strength to believe, feed 
upon his promises until the strength comes. You shall not be 
disappointed. Step in and be made whole. 

Jesus teaches us in this case of the impotent man that He alone 
has the power to heal, saying unto him, " Rise, take up thy bed 
and walk ;" and also teaches us that notwithstanding the law of 
Moses, He had the right to command a man to carrv his bed on 



178 DiriXE HEALIXa. 

the Sabbath. The power of His word was at once feh in this 
man's body, and immediately he was made whole, and obeyed the 
command of Jesus. 

Another important lesson in this for us, is that Jesus instructed 
him how to keep this divine health. "Sin no more, lest a worse 
thing come unto thee." It is evident that his infirmities had come 
upon him through his own sins. Now, if he would retain this 
blessing of health, he must live in strict obedience to God. This 
is of great importance to all. ]\Iany are not healed, through lack 
of obedience, and many who once received the healing have lost 
it through the same cause, and thereby expose themselves to 
greater sorrows. Let every seeker cease from sin, and every one 
who has found Jesus as Savior and Healer, hear His gracious 
words of warning: "Sin no more." 



JESUS HEALING THE LAME AND THE BLIND ON 
THE MOUNTAIN. 

(MATTHEW 15:30-31.) 

"And great multitudes came unto Him, having with them 
those that zvere lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and 
cast them down at Jesus' feet ; and he healed them : 

"Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the 
diTmb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and 
the blind to see, and they glorified the God of Israel." 

The child is cheered as he sings. "This my father knows" ; 
and shall not we be comforted as we discern that our dear Friend 
and tender-souled husband knows all about us ? 

1. He is the Physician, and if He knows all, there is no need 
that the patient should know. Hush, thou silly, fluttering heart, 
prying, peeping and suspecting ! A\'hat thou knowest not now 
thou shalt know hereafter ; and meanwhile, Jesus, the beloved 
Physician, knows thy soul in adversities. W^hy need the patient 
analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms? This 
is the physician's work, not mine ; it is my business to trust, and 
his to prescribe. If he shall write his prescription in uncouth 
characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that 
account, but rely upon his unfailing skill to make all plain in 
the result, however mysterious in the working. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 179 

2. He is the AI aster, and His knowledge is to serve us instead 
of our own ; we are to obey, not to judge: "The servant knoweth 
not what his lord doeth." Shall the architect explain his plans ta 
every hodman on the works? If he knows his own intent, is it 
not enough? The vessel on the wheel cannot guess to what pat- 
tern it shall be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, 
what matters the ignorance of the clay? My Lord must not be 
cross-questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am. 

3. He is the Head. All understanding centers there. What 
judgment has the arm? What comprehension has the foot? All 
the power to know lies in the head. Why should the member 
have a brain of its own when the head fulfils for it every intel- 
lectual office? Here, then, must the believer rest his comfort in 
sickness, not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows 
all. Sweet Lord, be Thou forever eye and soul, and head for us, 
and let us be content to know only what Thou choosest to reveal. 



TOUGHED ONLY THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT AND 
WERE HEALED. 

''And when they were gone over, they came into the land of 
Gennesaret. 

"And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, 
they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto 
Him all that were diseased ; 

"And besought Him that they might only touch the hem of 
His garment ; and as many as touched were made perfectly whole." 

Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of 
a master's pencil. Of the Savior, and only of the Savior, is it 
true in the fullest, broadest and most unqualified sense. "He went 
about doing good." From this description it is evident that He did 
good personally. The evangelists constantly tell us that He 
touched the leper with His own finger, that He anointed the eyes 
of the blind, and that in cases where He was asked to speak the 
word only at a distance. He did not usually comply, but went 
Himself to the sick bed, and there personally wrought the cure. 
A lesson to us, if we would do good, to do it ourselves. Give alms 
with your own hand ; a kind look or word will enhance the value 



180 BIT IS E HE ALI S G . 

of the gift. Speak to a friend about his soul ; your loving appeal 
will have more influence than a whole library of tracts. Our 
Lord's mode of doing good sets forth His incessant activity! He 
did not only the good which came close to hand, but He ''went 
about'' on His errands of mercy. Throughout the whole land of 
Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not 
gladdened by the sight of Him. How this reproves the creeping, 
loitering manner in which many professors serve the Lord ! Let 
us gird up the loins of our mind, and be not weary in well doing. 
Does not the text imply that Jesus Christ ivent ont of His zvay to 
do good? ''He went about doing good." He was never deterred 
by danger or difficulty. He sought out the objects of His gracious 
intentions. So must we. If old plans will not answer, we must 
try new ones, for fresh experiments sometimes achieve more than 
regular methods. Christ's perseverence, and the unity of His pur- 
pose, are also hinted at, and the practical application of the sub- 
ject may be summed up in the words, "He hath left us an example 
that we should follow in His steps." 



HE APPEARED FIRST TO :\IARY ^lAGDALEXE, OUT 
OF WHOAI HE HAD CAST SEVEX DEVILS. 

(mark 16:9.) 

Mary of Magdala was tJic victim of a fearful evil. She was 
possessed by not one devil only, but seven. These dreadful in- 
mates caused much pain and pollution to the poor frame in which 
they had found a lodging. Hers was a hopeless, horrible case. 
She could not help herself, neither could any human succor avail. 
But Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and probably even re- 
sisted by the poor demoniac, He uttered the word of power, and 
Mary of Magdala became a trophy of the healing pozver of Jesus. 
All the seven demons left her, left her never to return, forcibly 
ejected by the Lord of all. What a blessed deliverance! What a 
happy change ! From delirium to delight, from despair to peace, 
from hell to heaven ! Straightway she became a constant follozver 
of Jesus y catching His every word, following His devious steps, 
sharing His toilsome life : and withal she became His generous 
helper,. first among that band of healed and grateful women who 
ministered unto Him of their substance. When Jesus was lifted 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 181 

Up in crucifixion, Mary remained the sharer of His shame : we find 
her first beholding from afar, and then drawing near to the foot 
of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Jesus, but she 
stood as near it as she could, and when His blessed body was taken 
down, she watched to see how and where it was laid. She was 
the faithful and watchful believer, last at the sepulchre where 
Jesus slept, first at the grave whence He arose. Her holy fidelity 
made her a favored beholder of her beloved Rabboni, who deigned 
to call her by name, and to make her His messenger of good nezvs 
to the trembling disciples and Peter. Thus grace found her a 
maniac and made her a minister, cast out devils and gave her to 
behold angels, delivered her from Satan and united her forever 
to the Lord Jesus. May I also be such a miracle of grace ! 



THE HEALING OE THE LEPER. 
(mark 1:40-45.) 

"And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneel- 
ing down to him, and saying unto him. If thou wilt, thou canst 
make me clean. 

"And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, 
and touched him, and saith unto him, I will ; be thou clean. 

"And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy 
departed from him, and he was cleansed." 

Primeval darkness heard the Almighty fiat, " Light be," and 
straightway light was ; and the word of the Lord Jesus is equal 
in majesty to that ancient word of power. Redemption, like Cre- 
ation, has its word of might. Jesus speaks and it is done. Leprosy 
yielded to no human remedies, but it fled at once at the Lord's " I 
will." The disease exhibited no hopeful signs or tokens of re- 
covery ; nature contributed nothing to its own healing ; but the 
unaided word effected the entire work on the spot and forever. 
The sinner is in a plight more miserable than the leper ; let him 
imitate his example, and go to Jesus, " beseeching Him, and kneel- 
ing down to Him." Let him exercise what little faith he has, 
even though it should go no further than, " Lord, if Thou wilt. 
Thou canst make me clean" ; and there need be no doubt as to the 
result of the application. Jesus heals all who come, and casts out 
none. It is worthy of devout notice that Jesus touched the leper. 



182 DIVINE HEALING. 

This unclean person had broken through the regulations of the 
ceremonial law, and pressed into the house ; but Jesus, so far from 
chiding him, broke through the law Himself in order to meet him. 
He made an interchange with the leper, for while He cleansed him. 
He contracted by that touch a Levitical defilement. Even so Jesus 
Christ was made sin for us, although in Himself He knew no sin, 
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him, O that 
poor sinners would go to Jesus, believing in the power of His 
blessed substitutionary work, and they would soon learn the power 
of His gracious touch. That hand which multiplied the loaves, 
which saved sinking Peter, which upholds afflicted saints, which 
crowns believers, that same hand will touch every seeking sinner, 
and in a moment make him clean. The love of Jesus is the source 
of salvation. He loves, He looks. He touches us, we live. 



THE HEALING POWER OF CHRIST. 

Though eighteen hundred years are past 
Since Christ did in the flesh appear, 

His tender mercies ever last, 

And still His healing power is here. 

Would He the body health restore. 

And not regard the sin-sick soul? 

The sin-sick soul He loves much more. 
And surely He will make it whole. 

All my disease, my every sin, 

To Thee, O Jesus, I confess. 

In pardon. Lord, my cure begin. 
And perfect it in holiness. 

That token of Thine utmost good, 

Now, Savior, now, on me bestow ; 

And purge my conscience with Thy blood. 
And wash my nature white as snow. 




ALL THE CITY WAS GATHERED TOGETHER. 



J/Z.YD AND FAITH CURE. 185 



ALL THE CITY WAS GATHERED TOGETHER. 

(mark 1:32-34.) 

''And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto Him 
all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 

"And all the city was gathered together at the door. 

"And He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and 
cast out many devils ; and suffered not the devils to speak, because 
they knew Him." 

What a mass of hideous sickness must have thrust itself under 
the eye of Jesus ! Yet we read not that He was disgusted, but 
patiently waited on every case. What a singular variety of evils 
must have met at His feet ! What sickening ulcers and putrefying 
sores ! Yet He was ready for every new shape of the monster 
evil, and was victor over it in every form. Let the arrow fly from 
what quarter it might, He quenched its fiery power. The heat of 
fever, or the cold of dropsy ; the lethargy of palsy, or the rage of 
madness; the filth of leprosy, or the darkness of ophthalmia, all 
knew the power of His word, and fled at His command. 



JESUS TEACHING IN THE SYNAGOGUES. 

(matt. 4:21-25.) 

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their syna- 
gogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing 
all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the 
people. 

"And His fame went throughout all Syria : and they brought 
unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and 
torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those 
which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy ; and He healed 
them." 

In every corner of the field. He was triumphant over evil, and 
received the homage of delivered captives. He came, He saw. 
He conquered everywhere. It is even so this morning. Whatever 
my own case may be, the beloved Physician can heal me ; and 
whatever may be the state of others whom I may remember at 



186 DIVINE HEALING. 

this moment in prayer, I may hope in Jesus that He will be able 
to heal them of their sins. My child, my friend, my dearest one, 
I can have hope for each, for all, when I remember the healing 
power of my Lord ; and on my own account, however severe my 
struggle with sins and infirmities, I may yet be of good cheer. He 
who on earth walked the hospitals still dispenses His grace, and 
works wonders among the sons of man : let me go to Him at once 
in right earnest. Let me praise Him, this morning, as I remember 
hozv He wrought His spiritual cures, which bring Him most 
rejiown. It was by taking upon Himself our sicknesses. ''By His 
stripes we are healed." The Church on earth is full of souls 
healed by our beloved Physician ; and the inhabitants of heaven 
itself confess that "He healed them all." Come, then, and publish 
abroad the virtue of His grace, and let it be *'to the Lord for a 
name, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off." 



HUMBLE THYSELF. 

God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit, 
"Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is the kingdom of 
heaven," with all its riches and treasures. The whole exchequer 
of God shall be made over by deed of gift to the soul which is 
humble enough to be able to receive it without growing proud be- 
cause of it. God blesses us all up to the full measure and 
extremity of what it is safe for Him to do. If you do not get a 
blessing, it is because it is not safe for you to have one. If ouf 
heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory 
in His holy war, you would pilfer the crown for yourself, and 
meeting with a fresh enemy you would fall a victim ; so that you 
are kept low for your own safety. When a man is sincerely 
humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the 
praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. 
Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, 
and fits us to deal efiiciently with our fellow-men. True humility 
is a flower which will adorn any garden. This is a sauce with 
which you may season every dish of life, and you will find an im- 
provement in every case. Whether it be prayer or praise, whether 
it be work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be 
used in excess. 




JESUS HEALETH GREAT MULTITUDES. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 189 



JESUS HEALETH GREAT MULTITUDES OF 
DISEASED AND SICK PEOPLE. 

(matt. 4:23-25.) 

''And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their syna- 
gogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all 
manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 

''And His fame went throughout all Syria : and they brought 
unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases 
and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and 
those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He 
healed them. 

"And there followed Him great multitudes of people from 
Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, 
and from beyond Jordan." 



THE HEALING OF THE LAME IN THE TEMPLE. 

(matt. 21:14.) 

"And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and 
He healed them." 

The Lord's people are dear for another's sake. Such is the 
love which the Father bears to His Only Begotten, that for His 
sake He raises His lowly brethren from poverty and banishment 
to courtly companionship, noble rank and royal provision. Their 
deformity shall not rob them of their privileges. Lameness is no 
bar to sonship ; the cripple is as much the heir as if he could run 
like Asahel. Our right does not limp, though our might may. 
A king's table is a noble hiding-place for lame legs, and at the 
gospel feast we learn to glory in infirmities, because the power of 
Christ resteth upon us. Yet grievous disability may mar the per- 
sons of the best-loved saints. Here is one feasted by David, and 
yet so lame in both his feet that he could not go up with the king 
when he fled from the city, and was therefore maligned and in- 
jured by his servant Ziba. Saints whose faith is weak, and 
whose knowledge is slender, are great losers ; they are exposed 



190 DIVINE HEALING. 

to many enemies, and cannot follow the King whithersoever He 
goeth. This disease frequently arises from falls. Bad nursing in 
their spiritual infancy often causes converts to fall into a des- 
pondency from which they never recover, and sin in other cases 
brings broken bones. Lord, help the lame to leap like a hart, and 
satisfy all Thy people with the bread of Thy table ! 

O God, to Whom, in flesh reveal'd, 

The helpless all for succor came : 
The sick to be relieved and heal'd, 

And found salvation in Thy name : — 

Thou seest me helpless and distress'd, 

Feeble, and faint, and blind, and poor ; 

Weary, I come to Thee for rest ; 
And, sick of sin, implore a cure. 

My sin's incurable disease, 

Thou, Jesus, Thou alone canst heal ; 

Inspire me with Thy power and peace, 
And pardon on my conscience seal. 



M I N D AN D FAITH CURE . 191 

PETER HEALETH ENEAS OF THE PALSY. 

(acts 9:32-34.) 

''And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, 
he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 

"And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had 
kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 

"And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee 
whole : arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately." 

. In the first place, then, it was very clear that the man was 
truly sick. Had he not been really sick, the incident before us 
would have been all a piece of imposture — a feint and a pretense 
from beginning to end : but he was hopelessly infirm. He had 
been anxiously watched by his friends for eight years, and was 
so completely palsied that during all those years he had not left 
his bed, which had grown hard as a stone beneath him. Now, 
as there is no room for a great cure unless there is a great sick- 
ness, so there is no room for God's great grace unless there i^ 
great sin. Jesus Christ did not come into the world to save sham 
sinners, but real sinners ; neither did he descend from heaven to 
seek those who are not diseased with sin, for the whole have no 
need for a physician, but He has come to seek those who are deeply 
diseased, and to give them real healing. This man's sickness 
was no imaginary ill, for he could not move ; his hands and feet 
were quite paralyzed. If in any limb there was a measure of 
motion, it was only a tremulous quiver, which rather indicated 
growing weakness than remaining force. He was bereaved of all 
strength. Are you such by nature, my friend, in a spiritual sense ? 
Certainly you are so ; but have you found it out ? Has the Spirit 
of God made you feel that you can do nothing aright apart from 
Him, and that you are altogether ruined and palsied unless Jesus 
Christ can save you ? If so, do not despair because you feel how 
terribly your soul is smitten ; but, on the contrary, say to your- 
self, "Here is room for mercy in me. If ever a soul wanted 
healing, I do. Here is space for divine power to operate in me, 
for if ever a soul was weak and palsied, I am just that soul.'' Be 
thou cheered with the hope that God will make of thine infirmity 
a platform upon which He will display His power. 

This man had been paralyzed eight years. The length of it< 
endurance is a terrible element in a disease. Perhaps yours is 



192 DIVINE HEALING. 

no eight years' malady, but twenty-eight, or thirty-eight, or forty- 
eight, or seventy-eight, perhaps, 'eighty-eight years you have been 
in bondage under it. Well, blessed be God, the number of years 
in which we have lived in sin cannot prevent the mercy of God 
in Christ Jesus from making us whole. You have a very long bill 
to discharge, while another friend has but a short one, and ow\^s 
comparatively little ; but it is just as easy for the creditor to 
write ''paid'' at the bottom of the large bill as the smaller one. 
And now that our Lord Jesus Christ has made full atonement 
it is as easy for God to pardon the iniquities of eighty years a.« 
the sins of the child of eight. Be not despairing, then. Jesus 
Christ can make such as thou art whole, even though thy heart 
and thine understanding have been long paralyzed with sin. 

This man's disease was one which was then reckoned to be, 
and probably is now, entirely incurable. Who can restore a palsied 
man? Eneas could not restore himself, and no merely human 
physician had skill to do anything for him. Dear reader, has the 
Spirit of God made you feel that your soul's wound is incurable? 
Is your heart sick? Is your understanding darkened? Do you 
feel your whole nature to have become paralyzed with sin, and 
there is no physician ? x\h, I know there is none among men, for 
there is no balm in Gilead, there is no physician there. There 
is no soul physician except in Calvary ; no balm but in the 
Savior's wounds. 

'Tf with thy heart thou wilt believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and with thy mouth make confession of him, thou shalt be 
saved." There is naught to be done; there is naught to be felt; 
there is naught to be brought. No preparation is wanted. Come 
just as you are, and trust Christ to save you out and out this 
night, and you shall be saved. God's honor and Christ's word 
are pledged to it. 

This is the last thing. Wlien Eneas was healed he acted 
in conformity therezvith. "Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus 
Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed." He did 
so. He arose directly and made his bed. 

Now, if any of you say to-night, 'T have believed in Jesus,'' 
remember you are bound to prove it. How prove it? Why, if 
you have believed in Jesus, you are made whole, and you are to go 
home and show people how whole you are. This man was 
palsied, and had been lying there prostrate eight years, and could 
never make his bed, but he proved he was healed by making iiis 
bed for himself. Perhaps here is a man who when he has en- 



MIN D AND FAIT H CURE . 193 

tered his house has generally opened the door with an oath. If 
there is such a person here, and Christ saves you — he will wash 
your mouth out for you. You will have done with profane lan- 
guage forever. Your wife will be surprised when you go home 
to hear how differently you talk. Perhaps you have been used 
to mix with rough companions in your work, and you have talked 
as they have done ; if Jesus Christ has made you whole, there 
is an end to all filthy speaking. Now you will talk graciouslv, 
sweetly, cleanly, profitably. In years gone by you were angry 
and passionate ; if Jesus Christ has made you whole, you will 
be as tender as a lamb. You will find the old lion lifting his head 
and giving an occasional roar and a shake of his mane, but then 
he will be claimed by the restraints of grace, while the meek 
and gentle lamb of the new nature will feed in pastures wide 
and green. Ah, if the Lord has saved 3^ou, the drunkard's ale- 
bench will have no more of you, for you will want better com- 
pany than the seats of scoffers can afford you. If the Lord saves 
you, you will want to do something for Him, to show your grate- 
ful love. I know this very night you will long to tell your chil- 
dren, and tell your friends, that Jesus Christ has made you whole. 
John Bunyan says that when he was made whole he wanted to 
tell the crows on the ploughed land about it. I do not wonder that 
he did. Tell anybody, tell everybody, "J^^us Christ has saved 
me." It is a sensation the like of which no man can imagine, 
if he has not felt it, to be made a new creature right away, in a 
moment. That surprises all who see it, and as people like to tell 
news — strange news — so does a new-born man long to go and 
tell others, 'T have been born again; I have found the Savior." 

Now, mark you will have to prove that this is so by an honest, 
upright, consistent, holy life, — not, however, by being merelv 
sternly honest. If Christ has saved you. He will save you from 
being selfish. You will love your fellow men ; you will desire lo 
do them good. You will endeavor to help the poor ; you will try 
to instruct the ignorant. He who truly becomes a Christian be- 
comes in that very same day a practical philanthropist. No man 
is a true Christian who is un-Christlike — who can live for himself 
alone, to hoard money to make himself great. The true Christian 
lives for others ; in a word, he lives for Christ. If Christ has 
healed you, gentle compassion will saturate your soul from this 
time forth and forever. O Master, thou who didst heal men's 
bodies in the days of thy flesh, heal men's hearts to-night, we 
pray thee. 



194 DIVINE HEALING. 

Still this word more. Somebody says, ''Oh, I wish I had 
Qirist!" Soul, why not have Him at once? ''Oh, but I am not 
fit." You never will be fit ; you cannot be fit, except in the 
sense in which you are fit even now. AA^hat is fitness for washing ? 
Why, being dirty. What is fitness for alms? Why, being m 
distress. What is fitness for a doctor? AA^hy, being ill. This is 
all the fitness that a man wants for trusting in Christ to save 
him. Christ's mercy is to be had for nothing, bribe or purchase 
is out of the question. I have heard of a woman whose child was 
in a fever and needed grapes; and there was a prince who lived 
near, in whose hothouse there were some of the rarest grapes 
that had ever been grown. She scraped together the little money 
she could earn, and went to the gardener and oft'ered to buy a 
bunch of the royal fruit. Of course he repulsed her, and said 
they were not to be sold. Did she imagine that the prince grew 
grapes to sell like a market gardener? And he sent her on her 
way, much grieved. She came again ; she came several times, 
for a mother's importunity is great ; but no offer of hers would 
be accepted. At last the princess heard of it and wished to see 
the woman ; and when she came the princess said, "The prince 
does not sell the fruit of his garden :" but, snipping off a bunch of 
grapes and dropping them into a little bag, she said, "He is always 
ready to give it away to the poor." Now, here is the rich cluster of 
gospel salvation for the true vine. Aly Lord will not sell it, but 
He is always ready to give it away to all who humbly ask for it ; 
and if you want it come and take it, and take it now by believing 
in Jesus. 

HAVE FAITH. 

It is the will of God that each of His people reach a plane 
of faith where victory can be claimed in the face of the most severe 
trial. The faith that knows no give up, give dou.'n, give in, nor 



DO NOT FAINT. 

The word faint in Luke 18 :1 is taken from the Greek ekkakeo 
and signifies to tniii out badly, to cave in. Jesus teaches us the 
lesson here that to faint means to be defeated. We must pray, ana 
not faint. During the fainting spells, the Devil has his own way. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE . 195 

A soldier in battle, just in the fiercest part of the engagement, 
when every step and action weighs heavily against the foe, knows 
that there is no time to go into a fainting spell. If he does, he is 
sure to be defeated if not killed outright. To faint under such 
circumstances means to lie limp at the feet of the enemy, to be 
put to death, or to be dragged into prison. Nothing is so fatal to 
the victory of a child of God as fainting. The hardest struggle 
always precedes victory. The most trying time to our faith is 
just before the victory comes. This is the very point where we 
are the most liable to faint. We must pray and not faint. 

AN INCREASE OF FAITH. 

will be preceded by a decrease of unbelief. The filling of the 
Spirit, by an emptying of self. An ascent to the plane of aspos- 
tolic faith and power, by a descent into apostolic humility. 

THE STRONGEST ARGUMENT. 

All the arguments of men to prove God's word to be true may 
be defeated, but when the church puts the promises to the test 
and the answer comes by fire, the unbeliever will fall upon his 
face and confess that "the Lord He is the God." 

BOUNDLESS LIFE. 

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Life for spirit, soul, and body, as illimitable as the pure air out 
upon the mountain. We can open our lungs and breathe to the 
full without the slightest fear that the air will be exhausted. The 
little fish in the depths of the great Pacific can drink and drink, 
and there is not the least possibility that it will ever exhaust the 
mighty deep. So the child of God can freely breathe in the bound- 
less grace and life of God. He can freely drink of the water of 
life, until he becomes filled with God. Whosoever will may do 
the same, and yet the supply remains undiminished. 

OBEDIENCE. 

In the health covenant with Israel we see the conditions for 
health were very simple. If thou wilt diligently harken. If thou 



196 DIVINE HEALING. 

wilt do. If thou wilt give ear. If thou wiU keep. God could 
not be expected to heal if these conditions were not met. The 
new covenant has not repealed these conditions. Obedience is 
the key to the blessings. 

TEN QUESTIONS. 

Why do we not have a single instance in the Word of God 
of some one of His people being engaged in Israel as a physician ? 

Why is it that we read nothing good of physicians anywhere in 
the history of God's people ? 

Why do we not read of one case of healing by physicians—- 
just one, somewhere in the Word of God? 

Why does Job speak of ''physicians of no value"? 

Why do we have it so definitely stated in sacred history con- 
cerning King Asa, that he ''sought not to the Lord, but to the 
physicians" ? 

Why did not God appoint and provide physicians among His 
people in the days of Israel, when He made the health covenant 
with them ? 

Why is the account so plainly given in the New Testament con- 
cerning the woman who "suffered many things of many physicians, 
and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse" ? 

Why did not Jesus select some of these physicians for His 
medical staff, when He "went about doing good and healing all 
that were oppressed of the Devil" ? 

Why did not the apostle James instruct the church, "Is any 
sick among you ? let him send for a physician" ? 

Why is it that during the first two and one-half centuries 
of the church there was no other than divine healing known in 
the church ? The answer — 'T am the Lord that healeth thee ;" 
and, "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." — 
Matt. 8 :17. 

FAITH. 

Faith is believing God. Doubt is believing the Devil. "Faith is 
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." 
"Without faith it is impossible to please God." But do not say 
you have no faith. If you know you are God's child, you know it 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 197 

is because you have obeyed Him and believed. You did not feel 
you were saved until you first obeyed and believed. We must 
receive the witness of the word, before we may expect to receive 
the witness of the Spirit. We must believe before we feel. Feel- 
ing is but the result of believing. It is the visible effect of the 
power of the invisible reality — faith. If we want God to put faith 
into us, we must put faith into His word. Some promises of 
men are too good to be true, but this is not the case with the 
promises of God. 

Jesus said to the centurion, "Go thy way, and as thou hast 
believed, so be it done unto thee." Could not we have believed, 
had we been there ? This man had an extraordinary faith for that 
day, but it was no more than every one might have had. It is no 
more than we may have. How much did he have? Here is the 
answer — "Speak the word only," and it shall be done. Have 
not we as much ? If we could see Jesus face to face today, could 
we not say, "Speak the word only, and my disease shall be healed" ^ 
Dear sufferer, there is a nearness to Jesus in the power of the 
Holy Spirit, where we can speak with Him face to face. There 
is a secret dwelling-place within the second veil, where only He 
is seen and heard. Here and here only can we hear Him say 
to us in the depth of our inmost soul, "As thou hast believed, so 
be it done unto thee." Seek this nearness in Him. Here His very 
presence dispels every power of disease, infirmity, and sorrow. 



CONVERSION AND HEALING. 

Conversion. "Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the 
feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, 
fear not : behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God 
with a recompense; He will come and save you. 

Healing. "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the 
ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man 
leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing."' — Isa. 35 :3-6. 

Conversion. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, 
He was bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement of our peace 
was upon Him. 

Healing. "Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our 
sorrows : yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and 
afflicted. With His stripes we are healed." — Isa. bo :4, 5. 



198 DIVINE HE ALING. 

Conversion. ''Who his own self bare our sins in His own body 
on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteous- 
ness. 

Healing. *'By whose stripes ye were healed." — 1 Pet. 2 :34. 
"And behold they brought a man sick of the palsy, lying on a 
bed. 

Conversion. ''And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick 
of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer: thy sins be forgiven thee. 
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves. This 
man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said, 
Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier 
to say. Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say. Arise and walk? 
But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth 
to forgive sins (then saith He to the sick of the palsy). 

Healing. "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 
And he arose and departed to his house." — Matt. 9 :2-7. 

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are 
dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed ; lest at any time 
they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and 
should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and 
I should heal them." — Matt. 13:15. 

"And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal 
the sick. And they departed, and went through the towns, preach- 
ing the gospel, and healing everywhere." — Luke 9 :2-6. 

Conversion and healing are here presented to us upon an equal 
basis in the redemption plan, and we are enabled to see that God 
was not forgetful of the physical needs of the fallen race when He 
anointed Jesus of Nazareth to preach deliverance to the captives 
and to set at liberty them that are bruised. There are three im- 
portant scriptural truths made plain in these texts. 

1. Healing is in the redemption plan. 2. It stands in this 
plan upon an equal basis with conversion. 3. God is as able and 
willing to heal as He is to save. 

Human logic argues to the contrary, but this does not change 
the word of God. As truly as the prophet saw, by the inspiration 
of the Holy Spirit, that the life and ministry of Jesus and the 
apostles and the whole gospel dispensation, should be marked by 
the grace of God to save from sin, so he saw this same grace of 
healing. It is a most glorious and soul-cheering prophecy indeed. 
It inspires hope and comfort to every soul who is weary and heav\ 
laden with sin. 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE. 199 

God has promised to come with a recompense. What is this 
recompense? It is salvation to every one who seeks God. *'He 
will come and save you." He will come with vengeance against 
your sins, but with a recompense of salvation to every seeking 
soul, even to him who has a fearful heart. "Be strong, fear not,"' 
says the voice of inspiration. Every doubt and fear may be cast 
aside, and the guilty soul may come with confidence and assur- 
ance in the promises. God will save. But can we not hear that 
voice in the same breath proclaiming the glorious gospel of 
healing? And can we not see in the fulfillment of this prophecy, 
when the gospel day began to shine, that the blind eyes were 
opened, the deaf ears were unstopped, the lame leaped, and the 
tongues of the dumb were made to speak ? These prophecies are 
predictions of the glorious redemption of the gospel, and they are 
fulfilled to the very letter in this gospel day. 

"Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,*' 
which in its fulfillment is translated, "Himself took our infirm- 
ities and bare our sicknesses." This is so plain to every honest 
and willing mind, as to need no comment. He himself has brought 
this deliverance, which He has so dearly purchased by taking all 
our sins and sicknesses upon Himself; for by His vicarious suf- 
ferings on the cross He paid the redemption price, and was en- 
abled to offer to this sin and disease cursed world this perfect 
redemption liberty. This, He had the power to bestow upon all 
who believed on Him, even before the work of His atonement was 
consummated upon the cross. His whole life was the divine 
expression of redemption, but it all centered in the cross. In view 
of this fact He granted salvation and healing to all who came to 
Him, previous to the cross; and through the apostles and all be- 
lievers since then, the same blessings have been realized — not to 
those who believe not, but to those who believe. The words and 
deeds of Christ are the divine interpretation of the redemption 
plan. No one, therefore, from this standpoint can fail to see 
that healing is a redemption blessing and an important part in 
the redemption plan. 

The life and ministry of Christ also prove beyond doubt that 
divine healing stands on an equal with conversion in this great 
plan. No case can be cited in the records of His life where He 
ever turned a suffering mortal away. The blessed "I will" was 
the universal response either in word or deed to every request. 
His interest in the body was everyv/here manifest with equal 



200 DI V I N E H E ALI ^' G . 

tenderness with that in the soul. How could it be otherwise? The 
body is a necessary part of our being, and has most certainly 
partaken of the deadly effects of the fall — sickness and physical 
death — which must necessarily be removed through redemption. 

The question may be asked, How much of the effect of the 
fall is to be removed by redemption ? The scriptural answer is : 
All of if. But how much of it is to be removed in this life ? The 
answer is given in the quoted text : "Himself took our infirmities 
and bare our sicknesses." This we believe is the scriptural limit 
to divine healing to be possessed in this life. The boundary to 
the gift of miracles and faith may reach much further into the 
illimitable, but the life and ministry of Christ in His dealings with 
sickness and disease is certainly a correct demonstration of this 
text quoted above. He manifested His power over death by 
raising a few from the dead, and completely conquered mortality 
for Himself by putting on immortality, but this is not to be obtained 
by His saints until the time comes, which is yet in the future, when 
the last enemy (death) shall be destroyed, and all, both the sleeping 
and living saints, shall put on immortality, at His second coming. 
1 Cor. 15 :20-26. Physical death is therefore a part of the effects 
of the fall that shall not be removed on this side of the resurrec- 
tion. 

But now as to sickness, we see that this characteristic of the 
fall comes within the redemption limit on this side of the resur- 
rection. Sickness is an abnormal condition of the body the same 
as sin is an abnormal condition of the soul. Both have entered 
through the fall, both can be removed through redemption in this 
life. This truth is most substantially sustained in the life and 
ministry of Christ and the apostles, and the testimony of increasing 
multitudes of saints in these last days. 

God is as able and willing to heal as He is to save. When 
the paralytic was lying at Jesus' feet and the comforting words 
of pardon were spoken to Him, Jesus asked of the people around 
him, " Whether is easier to say. Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to 
say, Arise and walk?" His power to do both was here plainly 
shown, and speaks out to all the world that His power and willing- 
ness as Savior and as Healer are equal, and all may come to Him 
and partake of these blessings. 



J/IiYD AND FAITH CURE. 201 



THE DIVINE LAW OF REDEMPTION. 

It has been said that Jesus healed arbitrarily. This is a serious 
mistake. There was nothing arbitrary about His work on earth. 
He came to redeem the fallen race from the power of oppression. 
This was according to divine law — "the law of the Spirit of life."' 
He was the Life, the Truth, and the Way. All who found Him 
found satisfaction from every bondage. This was in fulfillment of 
prophecy. It was in the mind of God from the beginning, and 
every word and act of Jesus was according to this plan. "That it 
might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying, 
Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Jesus 
Himself bears testimony of this glorious fact of deliverance in 
Luke A :21. Let no one therefore ever dispute what the mouth of 
the Lord himself hath spoken. 

We are too much inclined to doubt these blessed truths by look- 
ing around us to find some one who has seemingly failed to 
appropriate them. "Some have sought for healing and have noi 
found it, therefore it is not for all." Now, such an argumeni 
might as consistently be brought against the doctrine of salvation, 
for many have sought for it and seemingly have not found it. 
Unless the conditions are fully met for any gospel blessing, we 
need not expect to receive it. Many fail to meet these conditions 
through lack of understanding or constant application until the 
proper understanding has been given, while others may be un- 
willing to pay the price of a perfect consecration, and for various 
other reasons many may come short of the promises. This by no 
means weakens the doctrine of healing. We must not get our eyes 
upon the discouraging objects about us, as Peter did upon the 
boisterous winds, and began to sink. It is only Christ who can de- 
liver us. His word is the only ground upon which we can stand. 
Upon this we may rest secure, and through it His blessings will 
flow into our souls and bodies. 

Every child of God should be diligent in seeking out and 
claiming his inheritance. Let us not be slack to go over and 
possess the land. There are great walls to be thrown down and 
fenced cities to be taken, and great giants to be destroyed, but 
our God will "thrust out" the enemy from before us and give us 
full possession of the land. The inhabitants are too strong for us. 
but not for our God. He is the Lord our Healer. Dear sufferer, 



202 DIVINE HEALING. 

take courage. Be strong, fear not, strengthen thine heart. The 
land of salvation and healing is yours. Go in and possess it in 
Jesus' name. All your diseases will flee before you as you put 
Jesus up against them. Behold thy Healer. 



CASTING OUT DEVILS. 

This work of our Savior in His ministry on earth is scripturally 
classified with divine healing. It is spoken of as such in Luke 
8 :2, 6 :18 ; and 8 :36. This subject has reference to actual devil- 
possession. This class of affliction was common in the days of 
Christ. Satan could not keep himself hid in those days. All his 
hidden works of darkness were exposed and made manifest. 
Devils were cast out wherever such cases were met. 

The thought has doubtless occurred to every Bible reader, as a 
wonder why there were so many cases of devil-possession in those 
days, and none in our modern times. Some think the Devil has 
not so much power now as he had then. Others foolishly think 
he has lost all his power, and others still more foolishly think 
there is no Devil at all. The stubborn fact is, he is the same Devil 
today as he ever has been, without the least change or improvement 
in his character. He has many times reversed his tactics, and 
changed his colors, but this has been only to more thoroughly con- 
ceal himself and his works, and deceive the world. He has new 
forms of affliction and diseases which he imposes upon humanity, 
but there is one unfailing remedy for them all — Jesus Christ of 
Nazareth. Satan was met and conquered on every point, on the 
plane of Christ's humanity, but he yet has power in the world over 
all who yield to him, and choose to remain in his service and 
under his dominion. Christ only can deliver from his grasp. He 
not only conquered Satan for himself, but for every one on earth 
who will come to Him. The apostle speaks with words of comfort 
in Col. 1 :13, of God, *'Who hath delivered us from the power of 
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear 
Son." 

Satan has many evil spirits at his command to carry on his 
destructive work in the realm of humanity. Because he has in 
many respects transformed himself to be the better adapted to 
the times, does not change the fact that there are many cases of 



MIND AND FAITH CURE . 203 

devil-possession in the world today, of the same character as those 
in Bible times. Many cases of insanity are of this class. 

Devil-possession is a term applied to cases where individuals 
are overpowered or controlled, soul and body, by evil spirits, mani- 
festing at times, if not continually, the very incarnation of Satan, 
which may frequently assume a religious and devotional aspect. It 
is hardly possible to determine the extent to which this form of 
devil-power may be manifested in different cases. There are 
varied cases mentioned in scripture which are suggestive of these 
manifestations. Since the beginning of the apostasy these mys- 
terious operations have not been so clearly discerned, until within 
the last few centuries. As the pure gospel has been preached and 
souls have reached a Bible experience in sanctification and healing 
through the power of the Holy Spirit, the works of the Devil 
in all his subtile forms are made manifest. 

There are many cases of devil-possession where the individual 
is utterly helpless, and unable to exercise faith for deliverance. 
In such instances the power of intercessory faith is necessary. 
Some remarkable cases of this class have come under our observ- 
ation. 

Through faith in the living Christ and the power of His word, 
there have been blessed deliverances wrought, which adds more 
and more to the unanswerable testimony that the plan of salvation 
Some remarkable cases of this class have come under our obser- 
vation. 



DIVINE HEALING IN THE LIFE AND 
MINISTRY OF CHRIST. 

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in 
time past to the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days 
spoken unto us by His Soi)." — Heb. 1 :1, 2. 

In the beginning, God gave man a law. That law was the 
divine will. It was very easy to understand. Obedience to it 
meant all the blessings of Eden, with a life of sweet communion 
and harmony with God. Disobedience meant banishment and 
death. Adam did not fall because he did not know the will and 
law of God, but because he disbelieved and disobeyed it. The fall 
came. Death followed. The law of sin and death was enacted 
by the Devil, and its power has ever since, to a greater or less 
extent, afifected the human race. But as time passed and the sons 



204 DIVINE HEALING. 

of Adam began to multiply, God did not leave them without an 
expression of His law and will. He spoke in divers manners 
through holy men, the prophets, who voiced forth His will. They 
were His mouthpiece, who shunned not to declare all the counsels 
of God in the face of sinful men. Their words could not be ignored 
without the sad results of divine wrath. That spoken word was 
inexorable. 

"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established," sa\'s 
the Word. "Believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper." But ail 
that was spoken by the prophets, was the foreshadov/ing of a 
time to come. It was life for the time then present, but a more 
perfect law was to be given. Aloses said : "A prophet shall the 
Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; 
him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you, 
and it shall come to pass that every soul that shall not hear the 
prophet shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all 
the prophets from Samuel, and those that follow after, as many as 
have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." — Acts 3 :22-24. 
What days? Let us see. "The law and the prophets were until 
John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every 
man presseth into it." — Luke 16 :16. 

John was more than a prophet, and yet when interrogated by 
the priests and Levites he said he was not "that prophet." He 
was only preparing the way for the coming of Christ. When 
John's mission was fulfilled, Jesus Christ began to preach the 
gospel of the kingdom of God. He was "that prophet." He is 
the cornerstone in the foundation of the prophets and apostles. 
He is the voice of God which sounds back through all the prophets 
and forward through every tone of inspiration since the days 
of his earthly ministry. He is the voice of God to the world. 
Every word and deed of His life is a divine expression to suffer- 
ing humanity, never to be revoked in the gospel age. Oh, what 
words of comfort He speaks to every obedient heart, and what 
deeds of mercy He performs to every one who comes to Him ! 
See Him as He goes forth in His ministry of compassion and 
power. Compassion, in that He "went about doing good and heal- 
ing all that were oppressed of the Devil" ; power, in that He was 
"mighty in deed and word before God and all the people." He 
was the incarnate word of God. The many expressions of His 
will through the blessed Redeemer should most certainly en- 
courage every suffering mortal to come to God through Him and 



-1/ I y D AX D FAITH CURE . 205 

be healed of every infirmity of soul, spirit and body. He took them 
all upon Himself, and forever disposed of them by nailing them 
to the cross. Not a cry nor prayer was turned away. Multitudes 
came to Him for deliverance, and he healed them all. What more 
could He do than this to establish the nature of His mission on 
earth ? Each case of healing is the voice of God to us. It is His 
spoken word. 

As we read of these individual cases of His marvelous work, 
we find in each of them a practical lesson. Let us ever remember 
that what was expressed through Jesus in each of these instances 
was just the same as though He spoke directly to us today. No 
one can consistently and scripturally deny this. It is a shame that 
professing Christianity has ever admitted the falsehood that divine 
healing was only intended for primitive days. It is simply because 
of the low standard of spirituality held up by an hireling ministry, 
who are afraid to speak the truth of the gospel. Jesus is the 
same today, just as much our Healer as our Savior from sin. 
The same voice of God that spoke in the beginning of this gospel 
dispensation speaks to us now. Praise God ! The experiences of 
thousands of living witnesses establish this fact, and prove the 
power of this living word of God to all who believe. 

It is with heavenly delight that we open the precious Book 
and read the expressions of our heavenly Father to us through 
these words and deeds of His Son. Come, suffering brother and 
sister, let us sit at His feet and listen to those wonderful words of 
life. Let us not imagine a great chasm of nineteen centuries be- 
tween us. That is not true. He is with us today in mighty 
living power. By faith we can hear His voice in tender words of 
compassion. We see to our blessed satisfaction that He is able 
and willing to heal us. We see by the different recorded cases of 
His healing, how to come to Him. This opens the way, and we 
therefore come boldly to Him and receive His blessings upon us. 



HIS POWER TO HEAL. 

Let us notice the power of this compassionate Redeemer to 
heal. There was not one case of deformity nor disease that could 
baffle his skill. The record of individual cases brings before us 
this truth. The deaf and dumb, the deformed, the leprous, the 
palsied, those stricken with fevers, with dropsy, an issue of blood. 



206 DIVINEHEALING. 

the blind, a withered hand — unnumbered and unmentioned, and 
all diseases were equally dispelled by the power of His word. 
Infirmities of twelve, eighteen, and thirty-eight years, were equally 
unable to exist in the power of his presence. Everywhere they 
vanished and fled like mists before the blazing sun of a summer 
morning, and indeed they were mists of the power of darkness, sin, 
and death, but the piercing beams of the Sun of righteousness 
broke this power, and imparted life and liberty to all who were 
bound. The power of sin and death held the world in its icy 
bondage. The chilling blasts of destruction had been blowing 
upon mankind for thousands of years. The streams of life had 
ceased their flowing and were frozen to the depths. Mountains of 
arctic snows had buried every hope of life, but the Sun of 
righteousness arose with healing in His wings. The chains of 
bondage are broken. The life streams are flowing, bringing 
blessings and comfort to the spiritual, moral, and physical nature 
of man, so that under these healing wings his entire being is 
filled with heavenly music and harmony of life. 

Praise God ! nothing has been able to stand before the Savior. 
He was sent to destroy the works of the Devil, and He accom- 
plished His end. Why should it not be so ? It is impossible for the 
eternal God to fail, or His word to be broken. Oh, let us never 
doubt His power. The whole universe bows in humble recog- 
nition to it. The devils believe and tremble, and why should 
foolish man for a moment let the deceptions of Satan enter his 
mind and heart? He who created the worlds and all that is in 
them, has also the power to speak away every disease. 



HIS WILL TO HEAL. 

Many a sufferer today is kept in bondage through a lack of 
faith in God's will to heal. A common expression is this : 'T do 
not doubt His power, but I am not sure about His will to heal me, 
and I always want to pray. Thy will be done.' " Let us keep our 
eyes upon Him as we see Him going about in His ministry. We 
will not forget that He is the voice of God to us. There is the 
instance of the leper who came to Him, saying, 'Tf thou wilt, thou 
canst make me clean." He was not sure as to the will of Jesus, 
but how quickly that was settled. 'T will," said the Master, and 
immediately his leprosy was gone. How encouraging this is to us ! 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 207 

What He said to the leper He is saying to us. This is His will. 
His whole will of redemption is the very will of God to 
us. Every deed of His life is but that spoken will. He did 
it perfectly. He finished the work the Father gave Him to 
do. It is useless as well as dangerous to seek the will of God 
outside of what was thus spoken through Christ. He of Himself 
could do nothing. It was the Father who wrought the deeds of 
mercy through Him, all in accordance with His own plan. The 
blind men crying with loud voice, ''Thou son of David, have mercy 
on us" ; the centurion asking for the healing of his palsied servant ; 
the nobleman pleading for his sick and fevered child ; the woman 
pleading for her helpless demoniac daughter ; the father for his 
son in similar affliction ; the woman weak and faint with an issue 
of blood ; the man at the pool of Bethesda ; the man born blind, and 
all the sick and infirm who were brought in great multitudes on 
beds and couches, who besought Him that they might but touch 
the hem of His garment — all received the manifestations of the 
will of God towards them and us. Even the vilest of repentant 
sinners were mercifully dealt with. 

To one who was guilty of death because of her criminal life. 
He said, "Go, and sin no more." Every cry of humanity from 
obedient hearts was quickly heard, and that hand of compassion 
and power was stretched forth in blessed deliverance, or the word 
only was spoken and the work was done. Had you and I been 
there, dear brother, our needs would have been met as much as all 
others. Truly they are just as fully met in that spoken word today 
for time has not changed it. Therefore, we must not doubt His 
will to heal us. How can we? If we let His word decide it, there 
can be no room to doubt. Let us not permit human reasoning, nor 
any of the traditions of men to come between us and the definite 
expression of God's own word. Believe Him, dear sufferer, and 
receive the benefits of His boundless provisions for full salvation 
and health. To doubt His will in this matter is but to rob you 
of your inheritance in Jesus. Great grace is our portion, but it 
can only be obtained through faith. 

It is right to pray, "Thy will be done in earth as it is ni 
heaven." God grant that this may be answered in every heart and 
life of His people. Surely then every disease must be healed ; for 
there is no such dreadful thing in heaven. There, nothing can 
enter but righteousness and purity. Sin and sickness, pain and 
sorrow cannot exist there. God reigns supreme. So it must be in 



208 />^ l^ -N ^' H KALI S (J . 

US here on earth, if we want this prayer to be answered. There- 
fore let us ever beheve that it is God's will to forgive all our 

iniquities, and to heal all our diseases : and by faith enjoy all the 
blessings of "Thy will be done."' 



HOW TO CO^IE TO HOI FOR HEALING. 

We not only have the instructions of His power and will 
expressed through the many instances of healing in His ministry,, 
but we can see very clearly how to come to Him and be made 
whole. Believing all that He has said in His word and deed con- 
cerning His part, we can take the example of those who came to 
Him, and do likewise. How then must we come ? Answer : By 
faith. Out of nineteen of the most prominent individual cases 
of healing mentioned in the ministry of Ghrist, and the apostles, 
there are twelve of these where their faith is spoken of. The 
rest are mentioned sufficiently plain to show us that faith brought 
the healing in every case. In His own town where He had been 
brought up Jesus could heal but few, because of their unbelief. 
"A\'ithout faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh 
to God must believe that He is, and that He is a re warder of them 
that diligently seek Him." — Heb. 11 :'>. This can also be seen in 
the examples of the healing of the multitudes. They came to him 
from all quarters and besought Him that they might only touch the 
hem of His garment, and as many as touched were made perfectly 
whole. Others, came to Him having with them those that were 
lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them 
down at Jesus' feet : and He healed them. All these statements 
teach us that these people had great faith in Jesus, and they came 
to Him expecting to receive healing. They diligently sought for 
it, and God did not disappoint them. 

Obedience, earnestness, and confidence are the necessary fruits 
of faith. These are all very prominent in these different cases, 
Xo one came to Him to be healed without an obedient heart. In 
many of these instances this is very plain: "Go thy way. thy son 
liveth," said Jesus to the nobleman. "The man believed the word 
and went his way." "Stretch forth thy hand," was the command 
to the man whose hand hung palsied by his side. He obeyed. "Go 
wash in the pool." The obedient blind man came seeing. "Take 
up thy bed and walk." The paralytic went forth healed. These 



MIND A ND FAITH CURE. 209 

and many more instances teach us how to obey the word of God, 
without which there can be no hope of health. Then we see how 
earnestly these sufferers came to him. BHnd Bartimaeus cried 
aloud for mercy. When some of the people charged him to hold 
his peace, "he cried the more a great deal." The Syrophenician 
woman was so earnest that she could not be stood back by anything 
that was said to her. Her importunity was rewarded. The woman 
who had an issue of blood showed her dead earnestness in press- 
ing through the throng of strong men, weak and fainting as she 
was, that she might but touch the border of Jesus' garment. 
Unless we are earnest enough to face every difficulty and never 
give up, the enemy will take advantage of us and in some way rob 
us of the blessings provided. See also with what confidence these 
afflicted ones come to the Master. The woman said, "If I may 
but touch Him, I shall be whole." "Speak the word only," said 
the centurion, "and my servant shall be healed." What marvelous 
confidence ! And so, dear reader, we have abundant evidence in 
the glorious work of Christ to encourage us to come to him with 
all our ills, and find that He is able, willing and ready to heal all 
who come to Him in faith. 

"All that Jesus began to do and teach," as he appeared on the 
plane of humanity, and continued "until the day in which He was 
taken up," gives the revelation of the will of God, that He met 
and conquered the enemy at every point, both in His life work and 
in His death. This was His redemption work. He came to work 
the works of God. If we but follow Him and behold the works 
that He did and the words that He spoke, we shall have no diffi- 
culty in seeing what were the works of God, and what were th<^ 
works of the Devil. It is just as true that Jesus came to put away 
sickness, as sin, because both are the works of the Devil. "For this 
purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy 
the works of the Devil." — 1 Jno. 3 :8. Let us follow this dear 
Savior and Redeemer as He goes from city to city and meets the 
suffering ones as they come to him. Let us notice some of the in- 
dividual cases. We have made mention of some of them already. 
but now we want to consider them more carefully with respect to 
their application to us. 



210 DIYINE HEALIXG. 

THE MAN OF GADARA. 
(LUKE 8:26-33.) 

"And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is 
over against Gahlee. 

"And when He went forth to land, there met him out of the 
city a certain man, which had devils a long time, and ware no 
clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 

"When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, 
and with a loud voice said. What have I to do with Thee, Jesus thotv 
Son of God most high? I beseech Thee torment me not. 

"(For He had commanded the tmclean spirit to come out of 
the man. For oftentimes it had caught him : and he was kept 
bound with chains, and in fetters ; and he brake the bands, and 
was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 

"And Jesus asked him, saying. What is thy name? And he 
said, Legion : because many devils were entered into him. 

"And they besought Him, that He would not command them to 
go out into the deep. 

"And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the 
mountain : and they besought Him that He would suffer them to 
enter into them. And He suffered them. 

"Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the 
swine : and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the 
lake and were choked." 

This afflicted man was possessed with many devils. He 
frequently manifested supernatural strength in breaking the 
fetters and chains with which he had been bound. Had this been 
in modern times, it would have been pronounced a case of violent 
insanity. He could not be kept clothed, nor in a house, and often 
was exceeding fierce, crying and cutting himself with stones. He 
was driven by the spirits into the desolate places in the mountains 
and among the tombs to dwell. 

As Jesus landed in that country this demoniac met Him. He 
seemed disposed to worship Jesus, but the devils had control of his 
mind and voice, and began at once to plead for mercy that Jesus 
would not torment them. They knew they were powerless in His 
presence. They had for a long time tormented this poor man in 
this unmerciful manner ; now they plead for mercy for themselves. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 211 

Luke 8:31 reads: "They besought Him (Jesus) that He would 
not command them to go out into the deep." This word deep is 
from the Greek abussos, and signifies very deep place. A number 
of translators have rendered it abyss. It is the same in the 
original text that is translated "bottomless pit" in Rev. 9 :1 ; 20 :o. 
Therefore it is no surprise that these demons should entreat Jesus 
that He would not send them into this place of banishment. Their 
time for this had not yet come. They knew very well that they 
could no longer torment this^oor man ; for Jesus had come on His 
mission of mercy to deliver humanity from the power of devils, 
whether possession, oppression, or depression. 

By their request they were permitted to enter a large herd of 
swine near by, but this was no benefit to them ; for they no sooner 
had entered them than the swiiie ran violently down into the sea. 
But, thank God, this poor captive was set free; and when the 
people found him he was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and 
in his right mind. Now he desires to go with Jesus, who had done 
so much for him ; but Jesus said to him, "Go home to thy friends 
and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee." 

This lesson teaches us the utter helplessness of humanity to 
resist and overcome the power of the Devil, but it also proves the 
words of Jesus concerning Himself : "All power is given unto Me 
in heaven and in earth." In Him we need not fear. There is 
nothing that can harm us. By faith in Him through obedience to 
His word, we have power over the Devil in every respect. He 
gave this to His disciples as He sent them out to preach the gospel 
of the kingdom of God. He gave them power over all the power 
of the enemy. Luke 10 :19 : "And they went out, and preached 
that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and 
anointed vv^ith oil many that were sick, and healed them." — Mark 
6 :12, 13. "In My name shall they cast out devils." — Mark 16 :V7. 
"There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto 
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with 
unclean spirits; and they were healed every one." — Acts 5:16. 
"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that 
from his body were brought unto the sick, handkerchiefs or aprons, 
and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out 
of them." — Acts 19 :11, 12. "L^or unclean spirits, crying with loud 
voice, came out of many that were possessed with them." — Acts 
8 :T. The kingdom of the Devil consists of sin, disease, and every 
form of devil-possession and devil-power. 



212 DIVINE HEALING. 

The kingdom of God consists of righteousness, joy, and peace 
in the Holy Spirit. As it was in apostoHc times, so it is now, the 
preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God in the power of the 
Holy Spirit expels the Devil and all his evil spirits, and breaks 
his power over the souls and bodies of humanity, for all who will 
repent and believe. 



CHRIST CLEANSETH THE LEPER. 

(matt. 8:1-3.) 

''When He was come down from the mountain, great multi- 
tudes followed Him. 

"And behold, there came a leper and worshiped Him, saying, 
Lord, if Thou wilt. Thou canst make me clean. 

"And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I 
will ; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." 

This blessed miracle took place just as Jesus had come down 
from the mountain where He preached those wonderful words of 
life. The leper came and worshiped Him. This is the only proper 
attitude for any seeker. This is the only condition of the heart 
where faith can lay hold upon God. He seeks to be worshiped. 
Oh, that every seeker for healing, today, were willing to fall at 
the feet of Jesus and honor Him as the Christ of God in true 
humble worship. Divine honor and reverence is the signification 
of this term. It recognizes God as the only object of affection and 
love. Nothing else can be retained in the heart. God demands un- 
divided supremacy. So many want Christ and everything else, 
but the demand of God is Christ only. With Him the Father 
freely gives us all things pertaining to life and godliness, but we 
can have nothing until we take Him first. This principle is divine. 
It applies to every blessing in the atonement. No sinner can 
obtain pardon, no believer can obtain the Holy Spirit or healing 
until Christ only is honored. 

How inconsistently many come to Him for healing. They 
want Christ and medicines. This is not rendering due honor to 
Christ. A Christian may, perhaps, under certain circumstances 
take medicines, but in so doing he does not worship Christ the 
Healer. As light upon this divine truth continues to shine, the 
time will come in each individual case where it would be a dis- 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE. 213 

honor to Christ for a child of God to take medicine. Let us 
worship Him, who "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our 
sicknesses." Himself, not Himself and medicines, not Himself 
and doctors, but Himself. We worship Him our Savior, why not 
worship Him our Healer, and bow to no other shrine for healing i" 
He seeks such to worship Him. Should we bow to the gods of 
superstition and medical science ? This would have been an insult 
to the God of Israel in the Old Testament times. Can it be any 
the less in this dispensation? 

It is true the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things, 
The kings of earth stand up and the rulers gather together against 
a child of God who worships Christ only as the Physician. They 
have set up a golden image of medical superstition ; the decree has 
gone forth throughout the land that every man, woman and child 
must bow down to this image. God has His people here who bow 
only to Him and His Christ. Shall we be loyal to Him despite 
the threats of the burning fiery furnace ? Can we say like the three 
Hebrews, we will not worship this image, even though our Christ 
whom we worship only, should not deliver us from the burning 
fiery furnace ? Dear reader, this is the true principle of worship, 
which no doubt will in the experience of every child of God bring 
us into the fiery furnace of persecution and trial. 

Our physical life must be sacrificed on the altar of Christ our 
Healer, but the precious words, "He that loseth his life for My 
sake, shall find it," are just as true in this respect as in any 
other. "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and He will 
deliver, but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not 
serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set 
up." Christ seeks those who are willing to face the results of 
eternal loyalty to Himself. The fiery furnace, the lion's den, the 
stake, the rack, all should serve as incentives to true worship at 
the throne of the Great Physician. Thus we learn an indispensable 
lesson from the loathsome dying leper as he came to Jesus. He 
came and "worshiped Him." We have a decided advantage over 
the leper. He said, 

"if thou wilt."" 

He had no doubt as to His power, but was not certain as to His 
will. We have as much assurance of His will as of His power to 
heal. Christ's answer to the leper settles the question of His will 
once for all, to every obedient and trusting sufferer. This poor out- 



214 DIYI^'E HEALIIS'G. 

cast had no human hope of life. He was doomed to banishment 
from society all his earthly days. It was not lawful for him to 
come within touch of any one. He was considered imclean and 
had to put his hand to his mouth and cry "unclean" to all who 
came near him. His disease was considered the most loathsome 
of any ill that humanity is subject to. How sad his poor heart 
must have been ! Little by little his life was to ebb away until 
death put an end to his wretched sufferings. But one day he 
heard of Jesus of Nazareth who had recently been passing through 
Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and healing 
all manner of diseases among the people. Some of his friends tell 
him this good news. At once the question arises in his heart, 
"Can He heal leprosy?" "Oh, yes," his friends say. "This is the 
One of whom Moses and the prophets did write and whom John 
the Baptist told us should come. He is the Messiah. He is healing 
all manner of diseases. 

A ray of hope flashes into this despondent and sorrowful heart. 
He believed in the "coming One." He heard John preach, and 
had repented at the preaching of John and was now ready to 
believe in Jesus. All he could do now was to patiently wait for 
the day when this Jesus should come near enough so he could 
come within sight of Him. Where is He, and when will He be 
in our town? He is up in the mountain preaching as never man 
preached, and multitudes are sitting at His feet. He will be down 
soon and will be this way no doubt. The leper's hopes were not 
disappointed. One day he beholds in the distance a large moving 
crowd of people. He is told that Jesus is coming. He springs to 
his feet with a new impulse of life, and runs towards Jesus almost 
forgetting that he is not allowed to come near any one ; he comes 
near to Him and casts himself down at His feet and humbly 
worships Him, saying, "If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean/' 
And 

"jESUS PUT FORTH HIS HAND AND TOUCHED HIM."' 

What a blessed expression of compassion and unbounded con- 
descension this is. It would seem to us that nothing could more 
beautifully portray the supreme love that overflowed from the 
heart of, the Son of God. It was not necessary to touch Him ; 
for the power of His word was sufficient, as we see in other 
cases of healing, but there was this expression of love that Jesus 



MIND AXD FAITH CURE. 215 

saw proper to bestow upon this poor man. No one else dared to do 
this, even his dearest friends. But the dear Savior touched him. 
What a thrill of love must have gone through that poor discour- 
aged heart from the heart of Jesus as His touch was given. 
Perhaps for years he had not had a human touch. Now there is 
one, more than human, a touch of life, one that thrills not only his 
heart but his entire being. The leper did not dare touch him. 
Others could, but he could not. Many besought that they might 
but touch His garment, and as many as touched Him were made 
whole, but here we have the healing life imparted by the hand of 
Christ as it was laid upon the diseased body of the leper. He 
knows the extent of our helplessness. Dear reader, your 
case is nowhere in helplessness in comparison with this 
man's, but the hand of healing reached him. It reached right 
through every difficulty upon the part of the sufferer and touched 
him, and uttered words that ring into the ears of every disease- 
stricken mortal on earth, who will but come as this man did and 
worship Him. 

*T will, be thou clean ; and immediately his leprosy was 
cleansed." With the suddenness of a lightning flash the fetters 
of disease were snapped in sunder and the man who had been 
doomed to life banishment as an outcast, and a miserable death, 
was instantly filled with divine life, and sent to bear testimony to 
the priests of what God had wrought. 

It has been said that this man had no faith to be healed, that 
Jesus healed him unconditionally, but if we enter into a careful 
study of the work of Jesus in His ministry we have no difficulty 
in seeing the manifestations of faith upon the part of all who were 
responsible as they came for healing. Indeed we see a perfect 
faith here in this respect, that he came and worshiped Jesus 
Whatever deficiency there may have been, he received the healing 
to the glory of God. 

CHRIST HEALING THE WITHERED HAND. 
(mark 3 :l-5.) 

"And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a 
man there which had a withered hand. 

"And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the 
Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. 



216 DIVINEHEALING. 

"And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand, 
Stand forth. 

"And He saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the Sab- 
bath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? but they held 
their peace. 

"And when He had looked round about on them with anger, 
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the 
man. Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out : and his 
hand was restored whole as the other.'' 

THE WITHERED HAND RESTORED. 

" And when he was departed thence, he w^ent into their syna- 
gogue. And, behold, there w^as a man which had his hand 
withered. And they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to heal on 
the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said 
unto them, What man shall there be among you that shall have 
one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not 
lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much, then, is a man 
better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on 
the Sabbath days. Then saith He to the man, Stretch forth thine 
hand. And he stretched it forth ; and it was restored whole, like 
as the other."— Matt 12:9-13. 

The prejudiced Pharisees were ever on the alert to find an 
accusation against our blessed Lord. They were anxious to get 
this man with the withered hand before him on the Sabbath day, 
knowing full well that Jesus would not pass him by without heal- 
ing him. Their depraved condition of heart held them in sucli 
blindness as to even think it was a violation of God's law to do 
an act of mercy to a poor suffering man on the Sabbath. Poor, 
deluded souls, they themselves would think it an act of cruelty to 
neglect a suffering animal on that day, but were ready to accuse 
Jesus of a criminal act if He healed any one. He proves to them 
that it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. 

" How much then is a man better than a sheep?" One of the 
prominent truths taught in the life of Christ is the great care He 
always manifested for the body. As a man would spare no pains 
to lift a sheep out of a pit, or protect it from the prowling wolf. 
or to deliver it if possible, if it might have been captured, so Jesus 
would, as a man is worth more than a sheep, set every man free 
from all his pains and diseases, or where he in any respect may be 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 217 

Oppressed of the Devil. This is certainly true with respect to the 
physical as well as the spiritual oppressions, as the multitudes of 
healed ones testify. Every need of humanity is provided through 
Christ. By faith all may come and obtain a full supply. He could 
not let this opportunity for showing His compassion pass by. That 
helpless hand hanging by the side of this poor man was no longer 
to be held under the power of oppression. As the man stood be- 
fore him Jesus commanded him to stretch forth his hand. This 
was a command to both obedience and faith. Some one has said 
of the majority of professing Christians, that they seem to have 
no hands to stretch out and take hold on God. 

HAVE FAITH IN GOD. ( M ARK 11:22.) 

If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down 
but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's 
throne except it be the earnest prayer of the man who believes. 
Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and the Lord 
Jesus in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send 
up prayer, nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraphic wire 
which links earth and heaven — on which God's messages of love 
fly so fast, that before we call He answers, and while we are yet 
speaking He hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith bo 
snapped, how can we receive the promise? If I am sick I can 
obtain immediate help for my trouble by faith in God's power to 
heal me. Faith clothes me with the power of God. Faith 
engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith insures 
every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me defy the hosts 
of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my 
enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything of the 
Lord? Let not him that wavereth — who is like a wave of the 
sea — expect that he will receive anything of God. 

Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along 
the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move 
more swiftly ; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith 
is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety 
to move well, and without faith the wheels are taken from the 
chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things ; 
without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to 
do anything in the service of God. If you would find the men 
who serve God the best, vou must look for the men of the most 



218 DiriyEHEALiyG. 

faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great 
things for God. Poor little faith could not have fought 
''Apollyon" ; it needed ''Christian" to do that. Poor little 
faith could not have slain "Giant Despair" ; it required "Great- 
heart's" arm to knock that monster down. Little faith will go to 
heaven most certainly, but it often has to hide itself in a nut-shell, 
and it frequently loses all but its jewels. Little faith says, "It is 
a rough road, beset with sharp thorns, and full of dangers ; I am 
afraid to go" ; but great faith remembers the promise, "Thy shoes 
shall be iron and brass ; as thy days, so shall thy strength be" ; and 
so she boldly ventures. Little faith stands desponding, mingling 
her tears with the flood ; but great faith sings, "When thou passest 
through the waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, 
they shall not overflow thee" : and she fords the stream at once. 
Would you be comfortable and happy? Would you enjoy 
religion ? Would you have the religion of cheerfulness, and not that 
of gloom ? Then "have faith in God." If you love darkness, and 
are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with 
little faith ; but if you love sunshine, and would sing songs of re- 
joicing, covet earnestly this best gift, "great faith." 

Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; 
but ah ! how backward we are to run towards Him ! How slowly 
we respond to His gentle impulses ! He draws us to exercise a 
more simple faith in Him; but we have not yet attained to 
Abraham's confidence ; we do not leave our worldly cares with 
God, but, like Martha, we cumber ourselves with much serving. 
Our meagre faith brings leanness into our souls ; we do not 
open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them. 
Does He not this evening draw us to trust Him? Can we not 
hear Him say, "Come, My child, and trust Me. The veil is rent ; 
enter into My presence, and approach boldly to the throne of My 
grace. I am worthy of thy fullest confidence ; cast thy cares on 
Me. Shake thyself from the dust of thy cares, and put on thy 
beautiful garments of joy." But, alas ! though called with tones 
of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting grace, we will 
not come. At another time He drazvs us to closer communion 
zvith Himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God's 
house, and He bids us advance into the banqueting hall and sup 
with Him, but we decline the honor. There are secret rooms 
not yet opened to us ; Jesus invites us to enter them, but we hold 
back. Shame on our cold hearts ! We are but poor lovers of our 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 219 

sweet Lord Jesus, not fit to be His servants, much less to be His 
brides, and yet He hath exalted us to be bone of His bone, and 
flesh of His flesh, married to Him by a glorious marriage- 
covenant. Herein is love ! But it is love which takes no denial. 
If we obey not the gentle drawings of His love, He will send 
affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with Himself. Have us 
nearer He will. What foolish children we are to refuse those 
bands of love, and so bring upon our backs that scourge of small 
cords, which Jesus knows how to use ! 

THE lord's prayer, (luke 11 :1-13.) 

*'And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain 
place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, 
teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 

''After this manner therefore pray ye : Our Father which 
art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. 

•'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in 
heaven. 

''Give us this day our daily bread. 

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for 
ever. Amen." 

This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence — 
with the spirit of adoption, "Our Father." There is no acceptable 
prayer until we can say, "I will arise and go to my Father." This 
child-like spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father "in 
heaven," and ascends to devout adoration — "Hallowed be Thy 
name." The child lisping, "Abba, Father," grows into the cherub 
crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy." There is but a step from rapturous 
worship to the glowing missionary spirit, which is a sure out- 
growth of filial love and reverent adoration — "Thy kingdom 
come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Next fol- 
lows the heartfelt expression! of dependence upon God — "Give us 
this day our daily bread." Being further illuminated by the 
Spirit, he discovers that he is not only dependent, but sinful ; 
hence he entreats for mercy — "Forgive us our debts as we forgive 
our debtors" : and being pardoned, having the righteousness of 
Christ imputed, and knowing his acceptance with God, he humbly 
supplicates for holy perseverance — "Lead us not into temptation." 



220 DIVINE HEALING. 

The man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend agaui ; 
the possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for 
sanctification. "Forgive us our debts"; that is justification, 
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" ; 
that is sanctification in its negative and positive forms. 
As the result of all this, there follows a triumphant ascription of 
praise — "Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever 
and ever. Amen." We rejoice that our King reigns in providence 
and shall reign in grace, from the river even to the ends of Liie 
earth, and of His dominion there shall be no end. Thus from a 
sense of adoption, up to fellowship with our reigning Lord, this 
short model of prayer conducts the soul. Lord, teach us thus to 
pray. 

Prayer sometimes tarrieth like a petitioner at the gate, until 
the King cometh forth to fill her bosom with the blessings which 
she seeketh. 

Beggars must not be choosers either as to time, place, or 
form. But we must be careful not to take delays in prayer for 
denials ; God's long-dated bills will be punctually honored ; we 
must not suffer Satan to shake our confidence in the God of truth 
by pointing to our unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions 
are not unheard. God keeps a file for our prayers — they are not 
blown away by the wind ; they are treasured in the King's 
archives. There is a registry in the court of heaven wherein 
every prayer is recorded. Tried believer, thy Lord hath a tear- 
bottle in which the costly drops of sacred grief are put away, and 
a book in which thy holy groanings are numbered. 

Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, 
in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may 
take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, 
your bow-string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer 
need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but 
he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but 
prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the 
best. Prayer is an open door which none can shut. Devils may 
surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, 
and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into 
the enemy's hand. We can never be taken by blockade, escalade, 
mine, or storm, so long as heavenly succors can come down to us 
by Jacob's ladder to relieve us in the time of our necessities. 
Prayer is never out of season; in summer and in winter its mer- 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 221 

chandise is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the 
dead of night, in the midst of business, in the heat of noonday, 
in the shades of evening. In every condition, whether of poverty, 
or sickness, or obscurity, or slander, or doubt, your covenant 
God will welcome your prayer and answer it from His holy 
place. Nor is prayer ever futile. True prayer is evermore true 
power. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall 
always have your real wants supplied. When God does not 
answer His children according to the letter. He does so according 
to the spirit. If thou askest for coarse meal, wilt thou be angered 
because He gives thee the finest flour? If thou seekest bodily 
health, shouldst thou complain if instead thereof He makes thy 
sickness turn to the healing of spiritual maladies ? Is it not better 
to have the cross sanctified than removed? 

Dear reader, take courage — you that prayerfully work and toil 
for Christ with success of the very smallest kind, it shall not be 
so always ; better times are before you. Your eyes cannot see the 
blissful future : borrow the telescope of faith ; wipe the misty 
breath of your doubts from the glass ; look through it and behold 
the coming glory. Reader, let us ask, do you make this your 
constant prayer ? Remember that the same Christ who tells us to 
say, '' Give us this day our daily bread," had first given us this 
petition, " Hallowed be Thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will 
be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Let not your prayers be all 
concerning your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfec- 
tions, your own trials, but let them climb the starry ladder, and 
get up to the Christ Himself, and then, as you draw nigh to the 
blood-besprinkled mercy-seat, offer this prayer continually, ''Lord, 
extend the kingdom of Thy dear Son." Such a petition, fer- 
vently presented, will elevate the spirit of all your devotions. Mind 
that you prove the sincerity of your prayer by laboring to promote 
the Lord's glory. 

DIVINE HEALING IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST. 

Every Bible reader who has light upon the plan of redemption 
knows the divine remedy for sin — " the precious blood of Christ.'' 
He has appeared in the world to put away sin by the sacrifice of 
himself. This sacrifice was made on the cross. The language of 
the prophet tells us what this sacrifice includes : " Surely he hath 
borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows : . . . .he wa-^ 



222 BITiyEHEALI^G. 

wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities : 
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him ; and with His stripes 
we are healed." — Isa. 53 -A, 5. In Matt. 8 :17 we have an indis- 
putable proof of the fulfillment of verse 4 of this prophecy — "That 
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, say- 
ing, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." 

The apostle Peter writes of the same, saying, "Who his own self 
bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead 
to sins, should live unto righteousness ; by Whose stripes ye were 
healed." — 1 Pet. 2 :84. This has reference to the cross, and all 
the redemption blessings purchased there, yet it is stated before 
Jesus was nailed to the cross, that it was being fulfilled already in 
his personal life and ministry, as he healed all who came to him. 
The whole plan of redemption finds its center in the cross. Hence 
we see the fulfillment of these scriptures began before the death 
of Christ, but nothing less than this could complete their fulfill- 
ment. These scriptures associate healing with salvation — Christ 
the sin-bearer and sickness-bearer. " He bare our sins in His own 
body on the tree." This tells where he bare them, and what act 
it was on His part that fully took them away. 

Now it is evident that the great cause of sickness is found in 
sin, which entered into the world through the fall of man. Had sin 
never entered, sickness would have had no place. As both are 
specified in these atonement scriptures, it is evident that the blood 
of Christ is the only remedy for both. The cause for both is found 
in the fall ; the remedy for both is found in redemption. 

Oh, let us stop here at the cross and behold the only remedy 
that God provides for us. Shall we become discouraged and feel 
that a great portion of our hopes are fled, when we find that human 
remedies have no place in this divine plan ? No ; but we see more 
in God's redemption than before. We see healing in the atone- 
ment. We see healing as our blood-bought inheritance, and re- 
demption right. We see healing offered to all who are weary and 
sad under the tyrant hand of the oppressor. We see it equally as 
free for all as salvation from sin. We see it begun in Jesus as 
he " went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of 
the Devil." We see it perfected in Him on the cross, where His 
precious blood was shed for us, where the Hie stream was fully 
opened and sent flowing freely in the world for both soul and body. 

Praise God ! we see new beauties in Him, our Savior and 
Healer. He is mindful of our bodies, with equally as much in- 



M IND A^m FAITH CURE . 223 

terest as of our souls, and since He has not spared His own blood 
to purchase this redemption for both, it becomes our blessed privi- 
lege to possess our right. Not only so, but we should look upon 
it as more than our privilege. We are under solemn obligations 
to honor and recognize His gracious plan, by a sacred consecration 
of soul and body to Him. He gave His all to us, and we should 
give our all to Him. We see also that this is not a special pro- 
vision for only a few chosen ones among the children of men, but 
it is a universal blessing offered to all. The " whosoever will " 
stands in this plan with equal prominence for soul and body ; hence 
no child of God can treat this subject with indifference. It ap- 
peals to our faith with a divine claim which cannot be safely ig- 
nored. Indeed the time is at hand when every true believer in the 
redemption of Christ must fully accept Him for healing. He has 
bought it for us at highest cost, and we must in return render 
Him His highest claim upon us. 

Ah, dear reader, this may seem rather binding upon you, but 
if you take but one more look at the Son of God upon the cross, 
through these atonement scriptures, and then open your heart to 
Him for the true interpretation of the same, you will see so much 
more in Him that all sense of obligation will vanish away, and 
your heart will overflow with reverence and gratitude for the 
sacred privilege of placing your body into His hands for healing 
and health. It is His exclusive right. As the husband and wife 
have exclusive claims to each other's affections, so Christ has the 
same claim on our soul and body. '' We are members of His body, 
of His flesh, and of His bones." — Eph. 5 :30. 

Our entire being is included in the price of His own purchase. 
Praise His holy name ! We also see that this is the only divinely 
authorized remedy for sickness. He needs no earthly means to 
assist Him in His redemption. Himself took our infirmities, and 
bare our sicknesses ; not himself and doctors, nor himself and 
materia medica, but positively and emphatically himself. Oh, let 
us give honor to Him ! Let us bow down and worship Him, and 
let us give glory to none other. The M. D.s have set up images of 
drugs and medicines and made decrees that all must bow down 
before them, but let us ignore every such decree and like the 
three Hebrews before the heathen king, declare that we will not 
serve their medicine gods, nor worship the images they have 
set up. 



224 DIVINE HEALING. 

LIFE IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST. 

'' For the law of the Spirit of hfe in Christ Jesus hath made 
me free from the law of sin and death." — Rom. 8 :2. 

Nothing but His precious blood could atone for sin. 
The law of sin and death could be broken by no other power than 
Himself. It was on the cross He received the sting, but by the 
same act He also bruised the serpent's head, and broke the power 
of the law of sin and death. Sickness belongs to that law. It was 
disannulled by the establishment of the law of life, under which 
we are now permitted to rejoice in deliverance from all the powers 
of that law of bondage. The apostle describes this in Hebrews 
2 :14, 15 — "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh 
and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that 
through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, 
that is, the Devil ; and deliver them who through fear of death 
were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Through 
the death of Christ the kingdom of Satan was shattered, 
and he himself was made powerless. The word destroy, as 
used here, fails to convey the sublime truth in this verse. It is 
better rendered in other translations : Revised Version, " bring 
to naught;" German, "take away his might or strength;" Em- 
phatic, "vanquish;" Word for Word, "make powerless," which 
all literally signify that through death Jesus made powerless the 
Devil and took away his dominion. " For this purpose the Son 
of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the 
Devil."— 1 Jno. 3 :8. 

From Jordan to Calvary he left a path of destruction to the 
works and strongholds of the enemy. In order to completely undo 
his power it was necessary that Jesus should enter the gloomy 
regions of darkness, and taste death for every man. He met and 
conquered the enemy upon the plane of humanity, then went into 
the regions of death and hell and conquered him there. Now He 
offers abundant life for soul and body to every one who will 
come to Him. Thank God for the atonement which has been 
made through His precious blood, without which there is no re- 
mission of sins, nor access to God. 



MIXD AND FAITH CURE. 225 

(matt. 12:22-28.) 

" Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, 
bhnd and dumb ; and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and 
dumb both spake and saw. 

" And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the Son 
of David? 

" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellozv 
doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the 
devils. 

" And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Ever}^ 
kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation ; and every 
city or house divided against itself, shall not stand. 

" And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against him- 
self ; how shall then his kingdom stand ? 

" And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your 
children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 

" But if I cast out devils by the spirit of God, then the king- 
dom of God is come unto you." 

DIVINE HEALING IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 

We have seen how the death of Christ purchased life for us, 
how the atonement has provided for our infirmities and sick- 
nesses, and how the life-stream was fully opened and flowing from 
Calvary. But we need not tarry long at the cross ; the precious 
blood was shed, and the sacred body which bore the stroke of 
our sins and weaknesses, was soon taken down and laid in the 
tomb. Thank God, it was "finished." With holy reverence we 
look up to God and accept the testimony of the sun, the earth, the 
rent veil of the temple, the Roman soldiers, and a number of 
resurrected saints : " Truly this was the Son of God." We see 
the place where our loving Savior and Healer is buried. The 
solemn hours pass into the third day and we are surprised with 
startling news from two heavenly messengers as they address 
the women who had come to the sepulchre very earl}' in the morn- 
ing to embalm the body of Jesus. " W^hy seek ye the living among 
the dead? He is not here, but is risen." In the evening of the 
same day a company of believers were gathered together with the 
eleven disciples. Suddenly Jesus stood in their midst and said, 
" Peace be unto vou." Thev were terrified and could not believe 



226 DIVIDE HE A LI\ G. 

that it was the very same Jesus who had been crucified, and 
thought they had seen a spirit. But Jesus said. " Behold my 
hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see ; for a 
spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have." And when 
He had thus spoken He showed them His hands and feet. And 
while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, he said unto 
them, "Have ye any meat?" And they gave Him a piece of 
broiled fish and of an honeycomb. And He took it and did eat 
before them. Praise God ! we see that this same Jesus of Nazareth 
is risen from the dead. 

Much testimony of eye-witnesses can be produced of this won- 
derful fact, but we will give only a little here, simply to assist in 
the study of this glorious doctrine of the 

RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, 

without which there can be no salvation or healing to-day. " For 
if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised : and if Christ be 
not raised, your faith is vain ; ye are yet in your sins. Then they 
also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. . . . But 
now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of 
them that slept." — 1 Cor. 15 :16-20. 

" Him, being delivered by the determinate comisel and fore- 
knowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have 
crucified and slain ; whom God hath raised up, having loosed 
the pains of death ; because it was not possible that He should be 

holden of it This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof 

we are all witnesses." — Acts 2 :23, 24, 32. 

" But ye denied the Holy One, and the Just, and desired a 
murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of Life, 
whom God hath raised from the dead ; whereof we are witnesses." 
—Acts 2:14, 15. 

"How God anointed Jesus of Xazareth with the Holy Ghost 
and with power ; who went about doing good, and healing all 
that were oppressed of the Devil ; for God was with him. And 
we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of 
the Jews, and in Jerulasem ; whom they slew and hanged on a 
tree; Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly. 
Not unto all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, 
even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from 
the dead."— Acts 10:38-41. 



31 I^D AND FAITH CURE. 227 

We have had abundant evidence of the power and will of 
God through Christ, to save and heal, in His life and ministry, 
before His death ; but now since He has risen from the dead to 
live forever, it is necessary that we should have some assurance 
of the continuation of His will toward man. Can we find suffi- 
cient foundation for our faith in this same Jesus of Nazareth 
for our healing, since His resurrection? Let us turn again to 
the word of God and read a few scriptures to prove His power 
and authority, His will and His presence. 

HIS RESURRECTION POWER AND AUTHORITY. 

" And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying. All power is 
given unto me in heaven and in earth." — Matt. 28 :18. 

" Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that 
God hath made this same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both 
Lord and Christ." — Acts 2 :36. 

" For to this end Christ both died and rose, and revived, that 
He might be Lord both of the dead and living." — Rom. 14 :9. 

'' And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us- 
ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, 
which he wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, 
and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places, far above all 
principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every 
name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is 
to come ; and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him 
to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, 
the fullness of Him that filleth all in all."— Eph. 1 :19-23. 

"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in 
heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold 
wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he pur- 
posed in Christ Jesus our Lord." — Eph. 3 :10, 11. 

"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, 
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a 
name which is above every name." — Phil. 2 :8, 9. 

" Who is gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God . 
angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject unto 
him."— 1 Pet. 3:22. 

Oh, let us rejoice in our risen and all-powerful Redeemer ! 
He lacked no power over all principalities, diseases, or devils 



228 D IT ly E HEALING. 

while in His earthly walk among men, but He had not met and 
conquered them all, nor tested His strength to save to the utter- 
most, until he had, through death, compassed the entire realm 
of the enemy's ground, and gone to the deepest depths of the 
fall, and " led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.'' Now, 
we see Him risen to the highest heights of all power and 
authority of worlds upon worlds, with the same loving and 
compassionate heart toward all men that He had when in His 
humble ministry here among the suffering and helpless. This is 
verily true, as the following scriptures will make manifest. 



HIS RESURRECTION, WILL AND PROMISE. 

" Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded 
you, and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 
Amen."— Matt. 28 :19, 20. 

It was His will that His disciples should go out and make 
disciples everywhere, teaching them to observe all things that He 
had commanded them. This signifies that His resurrection will 
to all the world, was just what it had been before His death, to 
those to whom He had ministered. They were now to go, not 
only to the Jewish nation, but to all the world, preaching the 
gospel and healing the sick. 

In the gospel by Mark, we read of this resurrection message 
and commission : '' Go ye into all the world, and preach the 
gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall 
be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these 
signs shall follow them that believe : In My name shall they cast 
out devils ; they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall take 
up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt 
them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them. He was received 
up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they 
went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with 
them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." — 
Mark 16:15-20. 

No language could express the will of the resurrected Christ 
to all the world more plainly than this. In it we find healing 



M I X D Ay D FAITH CURE. 229 

clearly specified. " They shall lay hands on the sick, and they 
shall recover." Who shall do this in His name? Answer: 
'' These signs shall follow them that believe" If there were no 
other scriptural evidences of His will to us to heal than this, the 
doctrine of healing would have sufficient foundation, and all who 
are called of God to go forth to preach the gospel could also with 
perfect assurance lay hands on the sick, and through faith in the 
name of Jesus they would recover. 

This commission was given personally to the eleven apostles. 
They were commanded to go and preach and baptize, then were 
given the precious promises that follow. How strange that the 
attempt should be made to preach the gospel without preaching it 
all! Healing is a very important part of the gospel. History 
proves the fact that wherever the full gospel has been carried into 
the world, there the accompanying signs of healing have been 
manifested — from the time the disciples first went out under this 
commission and w^ere successful. "And they departed, and went 
ing is not in this commission ; that casting out devils, healing, 
etc., were only promises to them that believe. But we see that 
healing was in the commission, prior to the resurrection of Christ. 
'' And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal 
the sick." — Luke 9 :3. We also see that they went out under this 
commission and were successful. "And they departed, and went 
through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every- 
where." — Luke 9 :G. " And they went out, and preached that 
men should repent, and they cast out many devils, and anointed 
with oil many that were sick, and healed them." — Mark 6 :12, 13. 

No Bible reader should dare to say that the second commission 
was less than the first. Admitting that casting out demons, heal- 
ing, etc., were specified as promises in this language in Mark 16, 
only adds to the fact that the doctrine of healing is part of the 
gospel, and was understood so, by the apostles, the promises being 
given to prove the power of the same, to all who should be- 
lieve it. 

It is very difficult to find a professing minister of the gospel 
of Christ who is willing to admit that he is rejecting an im- 
portant part of it, but it is certainly true that the majority of such 
ministers are guilty, and will be compelled to repent of their sin 
if they would stand justified before God. 



230 DIVINE HEALING. 

THE RESURRECTION PRESENCE OF CHRIST. 

We have seen that the power and will of Christ to heal all 
our diseases since His resurrection, is established by the word 
of God, and how can He heal us in His absence? If our eyes 
could but see Him, and His loving hand could be laid upon us, 
we could surely believe for healing. Ah, but dear reader, there 
are blessed promises to us who cannot see Him. The apostle 
Thomas could not believe in the resurrection presence of Jesus 
without seeing Him. When he did see Him, Jesus said to him : 
" Thomas because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed 
are they that have not seen, and yet believe." — Jno. 20 :29. 

When He ascended to the right hand of God He left His 
name on earth and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of, 
and among, all who obey Him. In the presence of the Holy 
Spirit we have all the power a'nd blessings of Jesus. When he 
promised to send the spirit, He said, " At that day ye shall know 
that I am in my Father, and ye in me. and I in you. ... If 
a man love me, he will keep my words ; and my Father will love 
him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him." 
— Jno. 14 :20, 23. " That He would grant you, according to the 
riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit 
in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." 
— Eph. 3 :16, 17. 

The Holy Spirit is in the representative and executive power 
of Christ upon earth to perpetuate His redemption work in sal- 
vation and healing, in the ministry of the pure gospel. His pen- 
tecostal endowment alone can qualify men to go forth with this 
gospel, which when faithfully preached will be blessed as it was 
through the apostles, " The Lord working with them and con- 
firming with signs following." We can see, therefore, how that 
in the "Holy Spirit we may have the resurrection power, will and 
presence of Christ in us. This is how He can be absent from 
us in body, and yet fulfill His promise to us : " Lo, I am with 
you alway, even unto the end of the world." 

DIVINE HEALING IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 

Eleven of the apostles preached the gospel under two dif- 
ferent commissions ; the first before, the second, after the death 
and resurrection of Christ. In a previous chapter we considered 



M IN D AN D FAITH CURE. 231 

briefly the effect of Christ's resurrection upon the doctrine of 
heahng, and how it has been incorporated in the second, or, 
resurrection commission, the same as it was in the first. In a 
few respects the two commissions are very much unhke, but these 
points of difference only add to the saving and heahng power 
of the second commission. One point of difference between the 
two is that, under the second, they were not to go forth until they 
had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and enduement of 
power from on high. This pentecostal enduement was certainly 
an advantage, which we cannot here stop to fully consider, but 
it is safe to state that the second commission was, as the disciples 
went forth under it, far superior to the first in its spiritual effects 
upon the hearts of men, and must necessarily, therefore, be 
greater in every other respect. Another point of difference, which 
is but in favor of the second, they were to go forth " into all 
the world" ; where, in the first place, they were to go only among 
the Jews. The comparative points in which these two commis- 
sions were alike may all be summed up in the words of Jesus in 
Matt. 28 :20 — " Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever 
I have commanded you." They were already possessed under 
the first commission with power and authority over all devils, and 
to cure diseases." — Luke 9:1. They had gone forth into the 
towns, " preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere." — Luke 
9 :6. Now under the second, they were to carry this gospel to all 
nations with the added authority of this pentecostal power. 



232 DIT ly E E E ALI X G 



AN INVALID FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. 

The author of this work was an invahd for over thirty 
years. In the spring of 186G I was struck by hghtning and 
knocked head over heels, and during the month of August in the 
same year I was prostrated by a sunstroke which paralyzed the 
nerves of my bowels, causing constipation of a very obstinate 
character, succeeded by first one and then another disease which 
trammeled upon my constitution until I knew myself only as one 
inseparable from disease. At times I suffered untold agony. 
Among the different diseases I became afflicted with was one 
known as insomnia. I have walked the floor every night successive- 
ly for months. In connection with this, the most dreaded of all dis- 
eases, I had liver and kidney disease, dyspepsia, gall stones, 
nephritic colic, cramp colic, constipation of the bowels. In fact, 
my bowels would not move at all without the use of medicines or 
injections of some sort or other. 

I had a stroke of paralysis, and for a time lost the use of my 
legs, so that I could not walk for three months without crutches. 

I also had La Grippe, heart trouble, disease of the brain, ul- 
cerated stomach and vomited a great deal of blood ; had rheu- 
matism, asthma and felt at times that I was wholly incarcerated 
in disease and that incineration would be my only relief. 

I was lanced, leeched, blistered, purged and salivated. I used 
emetics, sudarifics, diaphoretics, diuretics, anodynes, antizymotics, 
antipyretics, etc. 

I doctored with Allopathic, Osteopathic, Homeopathic, Eclec- 
tics, Hydropathics, Hygienics, Electrics, Suggestionists, ^Mag- 
netists. Magnetic Healers, Christian and Allied Scientists, without 
avail. 

I have used and tried every system ever invented by man's 
ingenuity, including the whole range of so-called curatives, such 
as massage, rubbing, Swedish manipulations, the multiple kind 
of baths, the various methods of physical culture ; but each and 
every one failed to cure me or even approach a cure, many falling 
short of even temporary relief. 

I then began to travel, and for several years I spent much time 
and money in the search of health at all the noted health resorts 
all the way from Maine to California, from the sun-scorched 
plains of Panama to the icelands of Canada and sterile Mexico. 
Every climate disagreed with me. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 233 

In the tropical countries, when it got too hot for me, I became 
restless, uneasy, and disease troubled, and would pack my grip 
to sojourn north in search of the Nort/i Pole to cool of¥. 

After all this search for relief and cure of my ailments I finally 
began to despair, and this prolonged siege of ill-health began to 
tell on me ; and I began to get disgusted with everything and 
everybody and at last myself. In this state I began to ponder over 
my condition seriously, and came to the conclusion that something- 
was wrong. 

The Bible says that when God made man he pronounced him 
good and perfect. He made man in His image and likeness. 

God is a spirit, and man is a spirit made in His image and like- 
ness, then man is a spiritual being; if that is the truth, can a spirit 
get sick? Then if a spirit cannot get sick and I am a spirit, how 
can I be sick? I began to see clearly. I saw a faint glimmer of 
the dawn of new hope. My star of health was just appearing 
visibly in the great firmament of God's universe. 

When I was made, God made me a perfect child, therefore I 
came to the conclusion that my sickness, as well as everybodv 
else's sickness was and is the workings of Old Nick, the Devil, 
and he uses the mortal mind as his agent. 

After baffling the skill of the most noted physicians in tlit 
United States, I received only temporary relief, until I finally be- 
came disgusted with doctors and their medicines, and, as a last 
resort, I turned my case over to God Almighty through Jesus 
Christ, and they healed me. Now, let the scribes and the Phar- 
isees and the infidels croak — and let the theologians cavil about the 
last seven verses of Mark 16. Translators may reject them d 
they will, the infidel may say that the days of miracles are past, 
the multitude of professing Christians may persecute and falsify, 
say all manner of evil against those who believe in Christ, our 
resurrected and living healer ; but here is a living witness, a brignt 
and healthy child of God, to testify against this wicked and un- 
believing generation to the power of Christ to heal all our in- 
firmities and sickness. O, that the Lord may turn His eye upon 
the multitude of skeptics who are in this case to-day ! May He 
forgive the slights which they put upon His divine power, and 
call them by the sweet constraining- voice to rise from the bed of 
despair and, in the energy of faith, take up their bed and walk. 

I will be pleased to impart such information to the afflicted a> 
they may wish to know, in their respective cases. Consultation 
free, whether by letter or personal interview. For further par- 
ticulars, cpll on or address. Dr. S. A. Richmond, Hot Springs, Ark. 



234 Diriy E H E ALIX G. 

THE RAISING OF JAIRUS' DAUGHTER. 
(mark 5:22-23.) 

''And behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, 
Jairus by name ; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, 

"And besought Him greatly, saying, Aly little daughter lieth 
It the point of death ; / pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, 
that she may be healed ; and she shall live." 

Jesus is passing through the throng to the house of Jairus, to 
raise the ruler's dead daughter ; but He is so profuse in goodness 
that He works another miracle while upon the road. \\^hile yet this 
rod of Aaron. bears the blossom of an unaccomplished wonder, it 
yields the ripe almonds of a perfect work of mercy. 

If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless the needy, 
then, my soul, be not thou slow to put thyself in His way, that 
He may smile on thee. Be not slack in asking, if He is so abun- 
dant in bestowing. Give earnest heed to His word now, and 
at all times, that Jesus may speak through it to thy heart. Where 
He is to be found, there make thy resort, that thou mayst obtain 
His blessing. \\^hen He is present to heal, may He not heal thee? 
But surely He is present even now, for He always comes to hearts 
which need Him. And dost not thou need Him ? Ah, He knows 
how much ! Thou Son of David, turn Thine eye and look upon 
the distress which is now before Thee, and make thy suppliant 
whole. 

HE HEALETH THE BROKEN IX HEART AXD BIND- 
ETH UP THEIR WOUXDS. 

(psalm 1-IT :3.) 

There are many sorts of broken hearts, and Christ is good at 
healing them all. The patients of the great Physician are those 
■ivhose hearts are broken through sorrozi\ Hearts are broken 
through disappointment. Hearts are broken by bereavement. 
Hearts are broken in ten thousand ways, for this is a heart-break- 
ing world ; and Christ is good at healing all manner of heart- 
breaks. I would encourage every person here, even though his 
heart-break may not be of a spiritual kind, to make an application 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 235 

to Him who healeth the broken in heart. The text does not say. 
"the spiritually broken in heart," therefore I will not insert an 
adverb where there is none in the passage. Come hither, ye 
that are burdened, all ye that labor and are heavy laden ; come 
hither, all ye that sorrow, be your sorrow what it may ; come 
hither, all ye whose hearts are broken, be the heart-break what 
it may, for He healeth the broken in heart. 

Still, there is a special brokenness of heart to which Christ 
gives the very earliest and tenderest attention. He heals those 
hearts zvhich are broken for sin. Christ heals the heart that is 
broken because of its sin ; so that it grieves, laments, regrets, and 
bemoans itself, saying, "Woe is me that I have done this ex- 
ceeding great evil, and brought ruin upon myself ! Woe is me 
that I have dishonored God, that I have cast myself away from 
His presence, that I have made myself liable to His everladting 
wrath, and that even now His wrath abideth upon me !" If there is a 
man here whose heart is broken about his past life, he is the 
man to whom my text refers. Are you heart-broken because you 
have wasted forty, fifty, sixty years ? Are you heart-broken at the 
remembrance that you have cursed the God who has blessed you, 
that you have denied the existence of Him without whom you 
never would have been in existence yourself, that you have lived 
to train your family without godliness, without any respect to 
the Most High God of all? Has the Lord brought this home 
to you? Has He made you feel what a hideous thing it is to be 
blind to Christ, to refuse His love, to reject His blood, to live an 
enemy to your best Friend? "He healeth the broken in heart." 

Christ also heals hearts that are broken from sin. When you 
and sin have quarreled, never let the quarrel be made up again. 
You and sin were friends at one time ; but now you hate sin, and 
you would be wholly rid of it if you could. You wish never to 
sin. You are anxious to be clear of the most darling sin that 
you ever indulged in, and you desire to be made pure as God is 
pure. Your heart is broken away from its old moorings. That 
which you once loved you now hate. That which you once hated 
you now at least desire to love. "He healeth the broken in heart." 
If there is a broken-hearted person anywhere about, manv 
people despise him. "Oh," they say, "he is melancholy, he is 
mad, he is out of his mind through religion !" Yes, men despise 
the broken in heart, but such, oh God, Thou wilt not despise ! 
The Lord looks after such, and heals them. 



286 n I V I y e h e ali ^' G . 

Those who do not despise them, at any rate avoid them. I 
know some few friends who have long been of a broken heart; 
and when I feel rather dull, I must confess that I do not always 
go their way, for they are apt to make me feel more depressed. 
Yet would I not get out of their way if I felt that I could help 
them. Still, it is the nature of men to seek the cheerful and the 
happy, and to avoid the broken-hearted. God does not do so; 
He heals the broken in heart. He goes where thy are, and He 
reveals Himself to them as the Comforter and the Healer. 

In a great many cases people despair of the broken-hearted 
ones. 'Tt's no use," says one, "I have tried to comfort her, but 
I cannot do it." 'T have wasted a great many words," says 
another, "on such and such a friend, and I cannot help him. I 
despair of his ever getting out of the dark." Not so is it with 
God; He healeth the broken in heart. He despairs of none. He 
shows the greatness of His power, and the wonders of His wis- 
dom by fetching men and women out of the lowest dungeon 
wherein despair has shut them. 

As for the heart-broken ones themselves, they do not think 
that they ever can be converted. Some of them are sure that they 
never can ; they wish that they were dead, though I do not see 
what they would gain by that. Others of them wish that they 
had never been born, though that is a useless wish now. Some 
are ready to rush after any new thing to try to find a little com- 
fort ; while others, getting worse and worse, are sitting down 
in sullen despair. I wish that I knew who these are ; i should 
like to come around, and just say to them, "Come, brother, there 
must be no doubting and no despair to-night, for my text is glori- 
ously complete, and is meant for you. 'He healeth the broken in 
heart, and bindeth up their wounds.' " Notice that fifth verse, 
"Great is our Lord, and of great power ; His understanding is 
infinite." Consequently, He can heal the broken in heart. God 
is glorious at a dead lift. When a soul cannot stir, or help itself, 
God delights to come in with His omnipotence, and lift the great 
load, and set the burdened one free. 

It takes great wisdom to comfort a broken heart. If any of 
you have ever tried it, I am sure that you have not found it an 
easy task. I have given much of my life to this work; and I 
always come away from a desponding one with a consciousness 
of my own inability to comfort the heart-broken and cast down. 
Only God can do it. Blessed be His name, that He has arranged 
that one person of the Sacred Trinity should undertake this office 



MI^'D AlfD FAITH CURE. 237 

of Comforter, for no man could ever perform its duties. We 
might as well hope to be the Savior as to be the comforter of the 
heart-broken. Efficiently and completely to save or to comfort 
must be a work divine. That is why the Holy Spirit has under- 
taken to be the comforter ; and Christ, through the Divine Spirit, 
healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds with 
infinite power and unfailing skill. 

11. Now, secondly, we are going to consider the Physician 
AND HIS MEDICINE. "He hcalcth the broken in heart, and 
bindeth up their wounds." Who is this that healeth the broken 
in heart ? 

I answer, that Jesus zvas anointed of God for this work: He 
said, ''The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath 
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor ; He hath sent me to 
heal the broken-hearted." Was the Holy Spirit given to Christ in 
vain ? That cannot be. He was given for a purpose which must 
be answered, and that purpose is the healing of the broken- 
hearted. By the very anointing of Christ by the Holy Spirit, you 
may be sure that our Physician will heal the broken in heart. 

Further, Jesus was sent of God on purpose to do this w^rk : 
''He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted." If Christ docs 
not heal the broken-hearted, He will not fulfill the mission for 
which He came from heaven. If the broken-hearted are not 
cheered by His glorious life and the blessings that flow out of 
His death, then He will have come to earth for nothing. This 
is the very errand on which the Lord of Glory left the bosom of 
the Father to be veiled in human clay, that He might heal the 
broken in heart ; and He will do it. 

Our Lord was also educated for this work. He was not only 
anointed and sent; but He was trained for it. "How?" say you. 
Why, He had a broken heart Himself ; and there is no education 
for the office of Comforter like being placed where you yourself 
have need of comfort, so that you may be able to comfort others 
with the comfort wherewith you yourself have been comforted 
of God. Is your heart broken? Christ's heart was broken. He 
said, "Reproach hath broken my heart ; and I am full of heavi- 
ness." He went as low as you have even been, and deeper than 
you can ever go. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken 
me?" was His bitter cry. If that be your agonized utterance, 
He can interpret it by His own suffering. He can measure your 
grief by His own grief. Broken hearts, there is no healing for 
you except through Him who had a broken heart Himself. Yc 



238 BIT IN E H E ALI^J G . 

disconsolate, come to him ! He can make your heart happy and 
joyous, by the very fact of His own sorrow, and the brokenness 
of His own heart. "In all our afflictions He was afflicted." He 
was "'tempted in all points like as we are," "a man of sorrows and 
acquainted with grief." For a broken heart, there is no physician 
like Him. 

Once more, I can strongly recommend my Lord Jesus Christ 
as the Healer of broken hearts, because He is so experienced ia 
the work. Some people are afraid that the doctor will try experi- 
ments upon them ; but our Physician will only do for us what 
He has done many times before. It is no matter of experiment 
with Him ; it is a matter of experience. If you knock to-night 
at my great Doctor's door, you will, perhaps say to Him, ''Here 
is the strangest patient, my Lord, that ever came to see Thee." 
He will smile as he looks at you, and He will think, "I have saved 
hundreds like you." Here comes one who says, "That first man's 
case was nothing compared with mine ; I am about the worst 
sinner who ever lived." And the Lord Jesus Christ will say, 
"Yes, I saved the worst man that ever lived long ago, and I keep 
on saving such as he. I delight to do it." But here comes one 
who has a curious odd way of broken-heartedness. He is an out- 
of-the-way fretter. Yes, but my Lord is able to "have compassion 
on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way." He can 
lay hold of this out-of-the-way one ; for He has always been saving 
out-of-the-way sinners. My Lord has been healing broken hearts 
well nigh nineteen hundred years. Can you find a brass plate 
anywhere telling of a physician of that age? He has been at the 
work longer than that ; for it is not far off six thousand years since 
He went into this business, and He has been healing the broken in 
heart ever since that time. 

I will tell you one thing about Him that I have on good 
authority, that is. He never lost a case yet. There never was 
one who came to Him with a broken heart, but He healed him. 
He never said to one, "You are too bad for me to heal;" but He 
did say,"Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." 
My dear reader. He will not cast you out; and you have come 
here to-night, and you hardly know why you are here ; only you 
are very low and very sad. The Lord Jesus Christ loves just 
such as you are, you poor, desponding, doubting, desolate, discon- 
solate one. Daughters of sorrow, sons of grief, look ye here ! 
Jesus Christ has gone on healing broken hearts for thousands of 
years, and He is still in the business. He understands it by ex- 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 239 

perience, as well as by education. He is "mighty to save." Con- 
sider Hirn ; consider Him, and the Lord grant you grace to 
come and trust Him even now ! 

Thus I have talked to you about the Physician for broken 
hearts ; shall I tell you what His chief medicine is ? It is His 
own flesh and blood. There is no cure like it. When a sinner is 
bleeding with sin, Jesus pours His own blood into the wound ; and 
when that wound is slow in healing, He binds His own sacrifice 
about it. Healing for broken hearts comes by the atonement, 
atonement by substitution, Christ suffering in our stead. He suf- 
fered for every one who believeth in Him, and he that believeih 
in Him is not condemned, and never can be condemned, for the 
condemnation due to him was laid upon Christ. 



CHRIST CLEANSETH THE LEPER. 

"Behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying. 
Lord, if Thou wilt. Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put 
forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will ; be thou clean. 
And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." — Matthew 8 :2-3. 

Matthew has placed this miracle immediately after the sermon 
on the mount. In all probability some little time intervened, in 
which our Lord had preached at Capernaum, and had also healed 
the people in the street, as we read just now in the first chapter of 
Mark. It was not the object of Matthew to arrange his facts 
precisely in the order of time ; He had another end in view. After 
the sermon on the mount. He gives us remarkable miracles, as if to 
teach us that our Lord's zvords zvere confirmed by His works. 
Our Lord was mighty both in word and deed. His kingdom 
comes not only with truth, but with power. He wrought miracles 
that men might see with their eyes that the power of God was 
upon Him, and might know that He spake with divine authority. 
At this day, beloved, it is even so. Power goes forth with the 
preaching of the gospel. The words of the Lord Jesus are spirit 
and life ; they are in themselves full of authority, and we ought to 
accept them with ready faith ; but since we are slow to believe, the 
Lord continues to work as well as speak ; the "signs following" are 
still to be perceived — blind eyes are opened, deaf ears are un- 
stopped, hearts of stone are turned to flesh, and the dead in sin 
are quickened. Conversion by grace follows the proclamation of the 
doctrines of grace ; for the word is with power. Beloved, we haA e 



240 DIVIDE H K ALI \ a . 

beheld wonders of regenerating power in our own midst, and 
therefore we are bound to beheve in Jesus more and more. Blessed 
be the divine power which confirms the word ! Jesus is never 
known in the full authority of His word until the Holy Spirit 
makes us feel the glory of His work within our hearts. We have 
the word, and we pray for more of the work. The Lord speaks to 
us graciously in the gospel ministry. Oh, that He would now 
work with us also in His own glory ! 

A\'hen our Lord spake, His words zi'cre ■zin]iged in such a zi'uy 
thai they flezv far aileld. He was heard, not only by the nearer 
company of His disciples, and by a great multitude who gathered 
about Him, but His words were carried home by the people as 
they returned to their cottages among the hills, or to their dwell- 
ings by the sea. They flew abroad as doves whose wings were 
covered with silver, and they lighted in strange places. His 
words had so much pungency about them that they could not be 
forgotten ; they had so much of force in them that they wrought 
mightily on the minds of men, and were repeated by those who 
heard them. Among the rest, the words of the Lord Jesus came to 
a poor leper, who dwelt alone outside a city wall. A\> know little 
about him ; even his name is not mentioned, but to him also the 
glad tidings of a Savior came. He spent much of his time in 
solitude, or in begging ; for he could not follow the pursuits of 
men, nor earn his bread like other men. The disease of despair 
was upon him, and none could help him in his trouble. He had 
heard of Jesus, and, perhaps, on the edge of the crowd, had 
heard Him speak. He felt that there was something divix'.e 
about the preacher who spake as never man spake : this aroused 
hope within him : he came to Jesus, and was healed. What w^as 
his name, or his descent, or previous history, we do not know. 
He ranks among the notable annonymous of earth, whose names 
are written in heaven. No one among you knows where God's 
word will fly this day : it may be blessed to some outcast in the 
bush, who will read it, and find mercy of the Lord. 

Read in scripture concerning the miracles of Christ, and you 
will be struck with the way in which many were led to Hitn. A 
friendly hand conducted the blind, or conducted the little children. 
Some were bodily brought to Christ. We read of a paralyzed n.an 
who was "borne of four," and they let him down by ropes through 
the ceiling to the place where Jesus stood. Others could not come 
or be brought, but the Lord went to them where they were, on ^heir 
beds, or waiting at the pool. But here is a case of a man 



.1/ ly D AND FAITH CUR E . 241 

who came by himself, on his own account ; and I want you to note 
this, because I am persuaded that we have around us those who 
have nobody to lead them to Christ, nobody to pray for them, no- 
body to persuade, exhort, or entreat them ; but these may come 
through the direct operations of the Spirit upon their souls. These 
are left outside the pale, dwelling on the other side of the line of 
Christian effort; but they are not beyond the grace of God. This 
leper did come of himself ; though none called him, he plucked 
up courage, and it is written as a wonder, "Behold, there came a 
leper and w^orshipped Him." 

Note well that this man kiiczv in himself that his case zvas 
a terrible one. I do not intend to describe the dreadful disease 
of leprosy; we have, on other occasions, viewed it as God's ap- 
pointed picture of sin. It was a living death, a source of misery, 
a centre of defilement : and such is sin. Medical men are not 
clear as to whether the leprosy was ordinarily infectious. It is 
now believed that it is contagious to a certain degree ; but there 
was no pressing sanitary reason why lepers should have been 
shut out from all society. The Lord, who intended leprosy, under 
the old theocracy, to be the picture of sin, ordained that, when 
once a man was a leper, he should be regarded as unclean in him- 
self, and so polluting that every person and thing he touched be- 
came unclean. Hence the leper was dreaded in his every approach 
to his fellows. He was looked upon as dead while he lived, and 
his case was viewed as beyond human help. Remember how the 
king of Israel cried out, 'Am I God, to kill and make alive, that 
this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy?" If 
a leper did recover it was regarded as a making alive, a resurrec- 
tion from death. This man knew, even better than anybody 
else, in what a wretched and loathsome state he was. His disease 
was ever before him. Leprosy is awful to look upon : what must 
it be to feel ? Leprosy is terrible in description ; what must it 
be in actual endurance? He knew that now at length he had 
come to the last stage of his malady ; for Luke describes him as 
"full of leprosy" ; he had come to the final stage, and the disease 
was conspicuous upon him. His skin was foul, and his joints were 
rotting. Very likely his fingers, his teeth, and hair were gone, and 
soon he must die. Such was the mass of moving death of which 
we read, "Behold, there came a leper to Him." He was not kept 
back by the fact that he was hopelessly and loathsomely diseased. 

Let us learn the lesson well. I earnestly pray that some poor 
guilty one, conscious of sin, horrified at himself, may now venture 



242 DiriXE HEALING. 

to come to Jesus. Though he feels the foul disease within him, 
and fears that it has come to its worst, yet may he be emboldened 
to approach to Him who can at once make him clean. If you feel 
yourself to be a mass of loathsomeness and corruption, or, worse 
still, hardened and insensible in conscience, yet come to Jesus for 
healing. Even though you are truly described in our hymn as 
''self-abhorred," yet come to Him, who will not abhor you. Come 
at once, saying, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.'' 
Let desperate cases come : let hopeless cases come. I am imploring 
the Lord to let it be so. O my brethren in the Lord, I entreat you, 
plead with me! 

Next, note with regard to this man, that others gave him up 
as hopeless. Persons hurried past him if he stood near the city 
gate. He was bound himself to warn them off by crying, "Un- 
clean, unclean." To him the sweets of friendship and all the 
comforts of domestic life were unknown : he was a cast-off and a 
castaway. The rulers of his people looked upon him, and pro- 
nounced him unclean, and therefore he was banished from among 
men. Do your relatives shun you? Do people in decent society 
avoid you? Oh, that you had grace and faith, to come to Jesus 
just as you are, and fall at His feet and worship Him ; for, rest 
assured. He can make you clean, and give you a name and a plac^ 
among His people. The hopeless are the very people that Jesus 
loves to save. 

Xo one could or z^'ould take him to Jesus. He was too foul 
to be touched, too far gone to be the subject of hope. Here and 
there we meet with persons who have so often disappointed their 
friends, that it is small wonder that they now keep them at a 
distance. Even an affectionate mother has said, "We have tried 
him many times, sir, but it is of no use. We cannot help him any 
more, for he has drained the family." The father almost prays to 
forget the prodigal, and the elder brother washes never to see him 
again. It is a hard case when it comes to that : but such hard cases 
there are. The world has in it men of whom society is sick. The 
profligate has been to this charitable person, and to the other 
benevolent individual, until everyone is weary of the ne'er-do-well, 
and no one feels that he could associate with him without becom- 
ing himself suspected of vice. By common consent he is judged 
to be unfit for a reformatory, but well worthy of a prison. No one 
reasons with him, entreats him, or prays for him. He floats over 
the ocean of life as an abandoned wreck. He has turned infidel 
latelv, and even his loving sister, who used to plead with him 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 243 

with tears in her eyes, now shudders when he comes near, because 
his language has grown so sarcastic and blasphemous that the dear 
girl cannot bear it. Now that no man careth for your soul, how 
earnestly I wish that you would care for it yourself ! Oh, that you 
would form the singular and saving resolve that you will go to the 
Lord Jesus on your own account, and so frustrate all the evil 
prophecies which have been uttered concerning you ! Why will 
you perish ? Poor soul ! why will you die ? I pray from the 
bottom of my soul that he or she may now, with fixed determina- 
tion, come to Jesus. O ye angels, may ye now have cause to cry 
out again, ''Behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him i" 
There is one hand which would lead you to Jesus — I stretch it out 
to you this morning. There is yet one heart that would plead 
with you to seek salvation ; and if there be not another in the 
world, yet come along with you, come just as you are, and show 
your misery to the Lord of mercy. Men have written out your 
death-warrant ; but the Lord Jesus has not signed it, and therefore 
it cannot be executed. They call you a castaway ; but the Lord 
gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. His long-suifering in 
sparing your life means your salvation. 

"While the lamp holds out to burn, 
The vilest sinner may return." 

Come, then, with all your sin about you, repent of your trans- 
gressions, and beHeve in Jesus, and thou shalt be clean. 

Again, this man had no invitation. Our Lord had not called 
him ; he had never said, "Come, ye lepers ; come, and be healed." 
There was nobody to command or persuade him to come, nobody 
to cheer him in coming, much less any to compel him to come in. 
Of himself, constrained by a divine impulse unknown to anybody 
else, this leper resolved to come, and found himself welcome, 
though he had not been expressly bidden. To you, my dear 
readers, I cannot say that you have no invitation; for we are 
always crying to you. Come, ye weary and heavy laden. Come, 
for Jesus calls. "The Spirit and the Bride say. Come. Whosoever 
will, let him come, and take of the water of life freely." I implore 
you to come to Jesus even as this leper came, and I pray the Holy 
Spirit to make my entreaties effectual with vou. 

This leper was bold in coming to Jesus, because, having nobodv 
to encourage him, he must have felt himself abashed as a lone man 
in the midst of the multitude. Well he might, for he had no right 



244 ' D IT IX E H E ALU G. 

to be there. "Here am I, a stranger to everybody: nobody 
knows me. and if they did. they would not associate with me! I 
am out of place among the people of God." Are you laboring 
under an awful sense of sin? Are you bowed down under your 
own unworthiness ? Do you feel as one lost in a crowd? The 
crowd being there was nothing very remarkable ; but the leper"? 
coming to Jesus was a very notable fact, a scene worth looking at. 
Hence we see the word, "Behold I" He is coming I Yes, he dares 
to come. The crowd make way. and the leper falls at Jesus" feet 
and worships Him, saying, "Lord, if Thou wilt. Thou canst make 
me clean."" Glory be to God, the leper is at the feet of Jesus, where 
infinite love and power are bending over him I 

As a rezi'ard to the man's faith, our Lord garc a cure: and, to 
increase the wonder, an immediate cure. "Immediately his leprosy 
was cleansed." How so great a change could be wrought we 
cannot tell. To dissect a miracle is absurd. Every part of the 
body had been long out of order, certain secretions had been 
poisoned, and certain vessels destroyed : and yet that one com- 
mand, "Be thou clean,'" restored the leper's ruined frame, there 
and then. He that created can restore. Can God turn a sinnei 
into a saint in a moment? He can. Xiagara comes crashing down 
from the precipice of rock ; could omnipotence reverse those floods, 
and make them leap upwards? God can do all things. In the 
moral world He is as mighty as in the outer universe. The heart 
is hard as adamant, or as the lower millstone ; can He make it 
soft? Yes, in a moment He can make it tender as bleeding flesh. 
Believest thou this ? If so. submit thyself to the divine energy , and 
ask that this be done unto thee. Only believe, without any sort of 
doubt, that Jesus is the incarnate God, and therefore has all power 
over human nature to pardon and to cleanse. Jesus can save thee, 
though thou stand between the open jaws of hell. Jesus can save 
thee, though thou be foulness itself, though lying asoak so long in 
the filthy lye of lust and unbelief. He can with a word make thee 
whiter than snow. Believest thou this ? If thou believest this, 1 
say. test it by submitting thyself to Jesus, that He may be a Savior 
to thee. He will say, "I will; be thou clean." 

THE POWER OF HEALING IX JESUS. 

The mighty power by which Jesus did all His works in His 

earthly life and ministry, healing the sick, and casting out devils, 
was by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Without this 



Ji / X D A y D FAITH CURE . 245 

power He of Himself could have done nothing in His great work 
of redemption. The Word of God gives us abundant light upon 
this subject. It teaches us the utter dependence upon God for 
all power to accomplish His holy will and work. "And Jesus, 
when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water ; and 
lo ! the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the spirit 
of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him." — Matt. 
3 :16. "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from 
Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. And Jesus 
returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee ; and there went out 
a fame of Him through all the region round about." — Luke 4:1, 
14. " And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their syna- 
gogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing all 
manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 
And His fame went throughout all Syria ; and they brought unto 
Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and tor- 
ments, and those which were possessed with devils, and thus^^ 
which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy ; and He healed 
them." — Matt. 4 :23, 24. " And He came to Nazareth, where he 
had been brought up : and, as His custom was, he went into the 
synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And 
there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And 
w^hen He had opened the book, He found the place where it was 
written. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath 
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor ; He hath sent Me to 
heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and 
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are 
bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And He began 
to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.'' 
— Luke 4:16-19, 21. "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of 
God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." — Matt. 12 :28. 
"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching 
peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye 
know ; which was published throughout all Judea, and began from 
Galilee, after the baptism which John preached ; how God 
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and 
with power. Who went about doing good, and healing all that 
were oppressed of the Devil; for God was w4th Him." — Acts 
10 :3()-38. 

It is as necessarily spiritual as the divine birth. Jesus said to 
Nicodemus, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. The wind 
bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but 



246 D IV IX E H E ALIX G . 

canst not tell whence it cometh. and whither it goeth ; so is every 
one that is born of the Spirit." A A^sible and physical effect is pro- 
duced by the invisible and spiritual pOAver of God. To be "born 
again'*" is the divine touch of the Holy Spirit to the soul Avho meets 
the simple conditions of repentance toward God and faith toward 
our Lord Jesus Christ, quickening into divine life the spirit that 
was dead in trespasses and sins. This, with the subsequent ex- 
perience of sanctification, may be scripturally termed divine heal- 
ing of the soul. 

Divine healing of the body is also the work of the Holy Spirit ; 
which, by a definite act of faith on our part, operates through 
the spiritual life, reaching out into the physical, affecting every 
fibre and tissue, and quickening into life and health that part which 
has been held under the cruel power of disease. Xo experience of 
this kind can be realized in the physical, without a corresponding 
touch of the spiritual life. The touch to the body is the overflow 
of the inwrought power of the Spirit in the soul. The eft'ects arc 
realized in the natural or material body, but the great cause is 
invested in the supernatural and divine, practically demonstrating 
in the physical realm, the same as in the spiritual, the application 
of the law of life, in the glorious deliverance from the bondage 
of the law of sin and death. "For the law of the Spirit of life in 
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." — 
Rom. 8 :?. These two laws are diametrically opposite and both 
spiritual. The one has been enacted by God through our Savior 
and Healer Jesus Christ ; the other by Satan. The executive of 
the law of life is the Holy Spirit. The executive of the law of sin 
and death is Satan and his spirits. 

The word of God teaches us that Satan is the afflicter and 
author of disease : therefore disease is the eff'ect of a spiritual 
cause, either directly or indirectly. "So went forth Satan from 
the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the 
sole of his foot unto his crown." — Job 2:". "Then was brought 
unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb : and He 
healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and 
saw." — IMatt. 12 :22. "And certain women, which hadbeen healed 
of evil spirits and infirmities, ]\Iary, called ]\Iagdalene, out of 
whom Avent seven devils."' — Luke S :2. "And. behold, there was 
a Avoman Avhich had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was 
boAved together, and could in no Avise life up herself. And Avhen 
Tesus saAv her. He called her to Him, and said imto her. AA'oman. 



MI^D AND FAITH CURE. 247 

thou art loosed from thine infirmity. . . . And ought not this 
woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, 
lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath 
day?" — Luke 13:11, 12, 16. ''Healing all that were oppressed of 
the Devil ; for God was with Him." — Acts 10 :38. 

Satan is the author and source of sin and disease. God is the 
author and source of salvation and healing. It is therefore both 
scriptural and logical that divine healing is spiritual and super- 
natural, and effected only by the power of God according to the 
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. 

THE POWER OF HEALING IN GOD's PEOPLE. 

The Holy Spirit being the power of healing in Jesus, we can 
plainly see that this same source is the power of healing in the 
people of God through His Holy Spirit dispensation. In the res- 
urrection commission Jesus commanded His disciples to go to 
Jerusalem and wait for the endowment of power which He had 
promised should be their possession, comforter, and guide, after 
He himself should be personally taken away from them. This is 
the Holy Spirit who was to work in them and through them, that 
which was wrought through Jesus in His ministry, ''And I will 
pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that 
He may abide with you forever ; even the Spirit of truth ; whom 
the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth 
Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be 
with you." — Jno, 11:16, 17. "Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of 
Truth, is come. He will guide you into all truth : for He shall not 
speak of Himself ; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He 
speak : and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify 
Me : for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." — 
Jno. 16 :13, 14. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy 
Ghost is come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me both 
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the utter- 
most parts of the earth." — Acts 1 :8. 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.— Acts 2:4 
"And we are His witnesses of these things ; and so is also the Holy 
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." — Acts 5 :32. 
"And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders 
wrought among the people. Insomuch that they brought forth 
the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that 



248 D IT IX E H E ALIX G . 

at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow 
some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round 
about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks and them which were 
vexed w4th vmclean spirits : and they were healed every one." — 
Acts 5 :12, 15, 16. "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did 
great wonders, and miracles among the people." — Acts 6:8. God 
also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with 
divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own 
will." — Heb. 2 :4. "For I will not dare to speak of any of those 
things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles 
obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, 
by the power of the Spirit of God." — Rom. 15 :18, 19. 

These and other references of scripture teach us that it was the 
Holy Spirit that wrought all the miracles and healings in the life 
and ministry of the apostles, both individually and intercessory. It 
was God in them. All their efforts would have been fuiitless of 
these glorious manifestations without this heavenr, cndowm.ent of 
power. They w^ere the empty and clean channels through whom 
the Holy Ghost was conveyed to all about them, v/ho c;irne into 
the requirements of God. Nothing can be found in the word of 
God where these conditions were to be altered in the ministration of 
these blessings throughout the Holy Spirit dispensation. It is the 
blessed privilege of every true and humble minister of the gospel 
of Christ to possess this same power. Yea, more : no one should 
dare undertake to preach the gospel without the endowment of this 
powder. The command to the disciples is equally as binding upon 
every disciple of Jesus today, whether a professed minister or not. 
"Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with powder 
from on high." — Luke 24:49. With this heavenly endow^ment 
of the Holy Spirit, each one of the members of the body of Christ 
shall be able to be a blessing and a minister of comfort and joy to 
those who are in sorrow, suffering and affliction. "Who com- 
forteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort 
them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves 
are comforted of God." — 2 Cor. 1 :4. 

THE GIFTS OF HEALING. 

Among the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Cor. 
12 :8 :10, we find the gifts of healing. All these spiritual gifts are 
spoken of as a permanent endowment of the Spirit in the church. 



M I y D A X D FAITH C U R E . 249 

Some would refer to 1 Cor. 13 :8 to sustain an argument against this 
permanent endowment for the duration of the gospel dispensation. 
We will quote this verse and see that it is no foundation whatever 
for such an argument. "Charity never faileth : but whether there 
be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall 
cease : whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." The 
apostle simply teaches us here that charity (love) is to continue 
not only through this life, but forever ; while these gifts referred 
to in the previous chapter" are only for this life, and shall cease 
when their necessity shall have an end ; namely, when this gospel 
day, and the ministry of the gospel shall have reached its close, 
and the church shall have been translated to be forever with the 
Lord. 

So long as the church of God is here upon earth and in her 
normal condition, she will be in possession of the Holy Spirit, 
and wherever the Holy Spirit exists, He will manifest Himself 
in the church to the edification of the same. This is all very sim- 
ple, and easily comprehended by all who are filled with the Spirit. 
All who are living in this blessed state know that these gifts are 
manifest, and God is glorified thereby. The church, which is 
the body of Christ, does not yet as fully demonstrate these things 
as she will in the future, by advancing into greater spiritual 
power, but we do not thank and praise God for what He is now do - 
ing among His obedient people. 

The Holy Spirit is Himself a gift. Luke 11:13; Jno. 7:39; 
U :W, 26 ; 15 :26 ; 16 :18 ; Acts 2 :28 and 5 :32. He is Christ's en- 
dowment to His church, and ever seeks to honor Him. He gives 
gifts to the church, "dividing to every man severally as Lie will." 
It is evident that it is not the design of the Spirit that one mem- 
ber of the body of Christ should possess all of these gifts. They 
are distributed among the various members, who are able thereby 
to glorify God and edify the church, and yet it is the privilege 
of every member of Christ to be so filled with the Spirit that where 
these manifestations are a necessity for the glory of God, he can 
use any one as a channel of blessing in this respect. 

Now every child of God should feel it a sacred privilege to 
always be ready to lay hands on the sick and pray for them. 
Jesus said, " These signs shall follow them that believe ; they 
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Tlicy that 
believe have a right to do this whenever the emergency may re- 
quire, regardless of any permanent endowment of the gifts of 



250 DI VI X E H E ALI X G . 

healing. Every divinely ordained elder should, and does, live m 
the constant position with God, where he can at any moment, day 
or night, be ready in faith to respond to the request of any sick 
one who may be led to *' call for the elders " according to James 

The power and faith that bring the healing, or through which 
the healing may be wrought, will be given to the individual or 
intercessor, or both, where the conditions are fully met. This 
will be given for the time then present, to meet the demand of 
the hour, while the permanent endowment of the gifts of healing 
would seem to be possessed by certain ones whom the Holy Spirit 
chooses and qualifies to minister to the sick and suffering, impart- 
ing through the chosen instrumentality, to those in need, the 
various helps necessary to their healing. These gifts, like all of 
the rest spoken of in this chapter, are a great means of blessing 
to all who come within the scope of their power ; and when the 
church again reaches the apostolic plane, we shall see the true 
primitive type of divine healing, and its accompanying blessings 
and results. May God hasten the day, which is near, when the 
church will be clothed with all her pentecostal power and 
authority. 

THE GRACE OF HEALING. 

What we mean by this term is the universal and equal privi- 
lege of every child of God, through the redemption of Christ, to 
be healed, manifested to us by divine favor when He "Himself 
took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." The gifts of heal- 
ing are designed for intercessory use in the church ; and are not 
to be possessed by all, but the grace of healing is our individual 
inheritance and redemption right. Every afflicted child of God 
should not cease waiting upon Him in the constant exercise of 
faith, seeking day and night until perfect healing is found. Where 
the individual faith fails to reach the desired blessing, there should 
be the call for help, enlisting every intercessory means provided 
by the Holp Spirit in the church. This is what the gifts are for. 
They are a means to an end, the gifts to secure the grace. 

The indwelling Holy Spirit is ever ready to take exclusive 
control of every portion of this earthly temple. Our bodies are 
His dwelling place. He is the very Christ-life which dwells 
within His people. Christ the vine, we the branches. The vine- 



MIXD AND FAITH CURE. 251 

life must flow through the branches ; so the hfe of Christ must 
flow through us. " Know ye not that your bodies are the mem- 
bers of Christ ? What ? know ye not that your body is the temple 
of the Holy Ghost which is in you?" — 1 Cor. 6:15, 19. " For we 
which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that 
the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal 
flesh."— 3 Cor. 4:11. 

"But if the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead 
dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall 
also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in 
you." — Rom. 8 :11. This verse is generally interpreted to have 
reference to the resurrection of our bodies from the grave, but 
we believe there is a present tense experience in the Holy Spirit 
explained here, the experience of quickening into health our 
mortal and perishable bodies, when the natural forces have given 
way under the power of disease. It is upon the condition of the 
Spirit dwelling in us, that our bodies are to be quickened. It is 
the power of the law of life which the apostle mentions in verse 
two, which makes us free from the law of sin and death. The 
resurrection is explained further on in the chapter. The in- 
dwelling possession of the Holy Spirit with all His blessed com- 
fort to spirit, soul and body is but the earnest of the resurrection 
life which shall be realized when this mortal shall put on im- 
mortality; but while we are clothed with this mortal body, let 
us ever abide in Christ where the Holy Spirit may abide in us, and 
by an unwavering faith in the living promises of the living 
Christ, keep within the quickening touch of His living power. 

THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY. 

As the light of the gospel increases there will consequently be a 
corresponding increase of the transformed light of the Devil, that 
the true light might be kept hid from those who believe not the 
gospel of Christ. On the authority of the word of God we do 
not hesitate to say that Satan is transformed into an angel of 
light. 2 Cor. 11 :14. No matter what light God shines forth in 
His church, there will first be a mustering out of all the com- 
bined powers of darkness to oppose and hinder it. When this 
attempt has failed, then there is a great change in the execution 
of the deception. The enemy transforms himself into the very 
light he has been trying to destroy. His opposition to the truth is 



252 Dir I X E H E ALI X G . 

just as great, but it must now appear to have ceased altogether, 
that the deception may be successful. To those who are en- 
lightened by the Holy Spirit and the word of God, the cunning 
craftiness of the Devil is not concealed. 

All through the past centuries in the history of the church 
of God the workings of this mystery of iniquity have been plainly 
discernible. From Eden to this present time he has been at his 
business of deception, and will continue to be nothing but the 
deceiver until his final doom. Xever in the history of mankind 
has there been so much deception as at the present time. While 
the light of the pure gospel is increasing, the world is flooded 
with multiplied doctrines of error running parallel with the truth, 
to such an extent that only the willing and obedient of the people 
of God can keep clear from the deceptions. 

How true in these last days are the words of Jesus : " For 
there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show 
great signs and wonders ; insomuch that, if it were possible, they 
shall deceive the very elect." — Matt. 24 :2i. 

This was never more true than it is at the present time. There 
is nothing in this world that strikes more effectual death blows 
to the kingdom of darkness than the doctrine of divine healing. 
It means a life of faith in the church of God that otherwise could 
not exist, which is an irresistable power against the Devil, which, 
if every child of God possessed, it would soon put an eternal 
quietus to much of his infernal deception. The counterfeits of 
divine healing are numerous. Fron/the very first, in these modern 
times, that God began to show to His people that Jesus Christ is 
the Healer, there has been born from the regions of darkness, 
one after another, a variety of doctrines of healing, all of which 
may be clearly discerned, if weighed in the balance of God's holy 
word and spirit. 

Xot only has the enemy invented new doctrines, but to more 
securely hold his victims, and have a deception to suit every class 
of humanity, he has cunningly adopted deceptions of ancient 
date and brought them down to the present time. It is thought 
by some that idolatry and superstition are decreasing, but this 
is a mistake. There is as much of it to-day as there ever has been, 
only the form of it has gone through many changes in order that 
the deception may continue. A recent accomit in the Globe-Dem- 
ocrat, under the title, " Cured by Faith," publishes a case of a 
Catholic boy in Xew York who had been paralyzed for three years 



MIXD AXD FAITH CURE. 253 

and was instantly healed while looking upon a piece of the (sup- 
posed) wrist bone of St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, while 
the mother of the boy was praying to this departed saint. The 
relic was sent to this country a few years ago by Pope Leo XIII, 
and is kept in one of the Catholic churches in New York. The 
old superstition of "relic worship" is still in existence. 

While praying to the departed saints is in itself a Christ-dis- 
honoring and unscriptural practice, the abominable and heathen- 
ish relic-worship is also a deception of the Devil. Imagine the 
credulity of that mother and child standing before a piece of bone, 
in this so-called enlightened land, and invoking healing. What 
an easy prey to the deceptions of the Devil ! It may be question- 
able that the child was healed, but admitting that the healing was 
a fact but proves the truthfulness of the miraculous power of 
Satan ; for all who are in the light of the gospel can readily see 
that such gross superstition can only originate in the Devil himself. 

We do not hesitate to say that, to be consistent with His holy 
word and the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, God 
cannot heal through such channels of superstition. In the name 
of Jesus, through faith in His name, is the only promise of the 
benefits of divine healing. Satan would have us pray to any- 
thing and anybody but God, in the name of anything and anybody 
but Jesus Christ ; but all such prayers are but in vain, and but 
open up the avenues of the soul to be filled with the awful decep- 
tions of darkness. 

While the superstitions of Rome would impose the belief in 
more than the divinity of Jesus Christ, the more subtle forms of 
error in Spiritualism, Christian and mental science, etc., ignore 
His divinity. This may be denied, but in order to prove the state- 
ment, it will only be necessary to touch upon the redemption 
through the blood of Christ, and all these last named advocates of 
healing will be up in arms. 

Now it matters not how souls are deceived, only so they accept 
something else, more or less than Christ. This gives the enemv 
all the opportunity he needs to introduce any form of error be^t 
adapted to the case. Humanity to-day is famishing under the 
power of deception. The father of lies has not spared his resources 
to keep himself concealed in his transformed light, but the bright- 
ness of the glorious gospel of the Son of God reveals the mysterv 
of iniquity to every obedient soul. God has given us His word, 
which is the lamp to our feet and the light to our path. If we 



254 DIVINE HEALING. 

but earnestly seek the way of salvation and healing, we shall 
find it to the joy of our hearts. Jesus says, " I am the way, the 
truth, and the life," and while deceptions are great, we have a 
blessed security of life and health in Him. As the people of God 
learn more and more of the Christ-life, God will the more mani- 
festly stretch forth His hand to heal, and signs and wonders will 
be done by the name of His holy child Jesus, and the ''signs and 
lying wonders" of the Devil exposed. 

It is a question in the minds of some how it is possible that 
Satan can heal. There is abundant scriptural evidence that he 
has power to perform many wonders, and work miracles. Exo- 
dus, chapters 7 and 8 ; Matt. 24 :24 ; 2 Thess. 2 :9, 10 ; Rev. 13 :13, 
14; Rev. 16:14. Also, that he is the author of disease and sick- 
ness. Job 2 :7 ; Mark 9 :25 ; 2 Cor. 12 :7. It is therefore both 
scriptural and logical, that the hand that has power to afflict has 
also the power to withdraw his affliction, which he certainly will 
do if he can thereby deceive, and make believe that it is God that 
has healed. It cannot properly be called healing, but yet it is 
a removal of the sickness or disease. It is very evident that there 
is much of this deceptive work carried on today among those who 
have not received the love of the truth, but have had pleasure 
in unrighteousness. Let us all keep very near to our blessed Re- 
deemer, and with an obedient heart follow Him where He leads. 
Thus His very life will be manifest in our mortal bodies, and we 
shall also know the truth, which He has promised shall make us, 
not only free, but free indeed. Jno. 8 :32-36. 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 

If healing is in the atonement, how is it that diseases were 
healed before the atonement was made? 

Just the same as sins were forgiven before the atonement was 
made. Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world 
to be the Redeemer. 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8. Faith in Him se- 
cured the benefits of His redemption, to the extent indicated in 
His life and ministry. He had the power to forgive sins and heal 
diseases, and also had authority over all the works of the enemy ; 
but in all this He was only fulfilling His redemption office, and 
did not complete it, was not made a perfect Redeemer, until He 
was "delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our 
justification." 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 255 

Do you understand that when we are sanctified, the cause of 
sickness is removed? 

In the beginning, if there had been no sin, there would have 
been no sickness. Sin (transgression) opened the door to every 
work of the Devil. " Sin entered into the world and death by 
sin." Death, ''dying thou shalt die," came with sin. Dying 
(sickness). Die (death). 

Individually we, by a definite act of faith in the atonement of 
the Redeemer, received deliverance from all the works of the 
Devil ; but not all in one single application. A sinner repents 
and believes and becomes justified. The believer consecrates and 
believes and becomes sanctified. 

We may be sanctified and not have known that healing is 
for us, and therefore be sanctified and be sick and bound by the 
chains of disease, just as a person may be a child of God and not 
have known that he could be sanctified. As soon as he receives the 
light he meets the conditions and appropriates the gifts either for 
sanctification or healing or both. Individually we may be sick 
without having committed sin. Sickness entered into the world be- 
cause of sin (the transgression of Adam), and because it is in 
the world it may fasten upon our bodies, even upon those "that 
have not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression" ; 
but, thank God, as with sin, we can be made free through faith 
in the Redeemer. There are many instances of sickness caused 
directly by sin, and in such cases repentance precedes healing. 
There is no reason why those out in the light of sanctification 
and divine healing should not be able to be kept from sickness 
caused by sin ; and may God grant the faith to claim perfect health 
under all circumstances, so that the " inhabitant shall no more 
say, I am sick." We may transgress the laws of health, which 
are not an imputed sin against us, and yet through that, there may 
be an attack of sickness, but in any case we have the precious 
promise of the healing through the prayer of faith ; "and if he have 
committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." 

It is the work of Satan to lead into sin, and to bind with 
disease. If he cannot do both, he will be ready to do either ; all 
he wants is the opportunity. It is the work of Jesus to undo 
the works of the Devil. "He went about doing good, and heal- 
ing all that were oppressed of the Devil" ; and in the Holy Spirit 
He is doing the same today. Hallelujah! All He wants is th-^ 
opportunity. "For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus 
hath made us free from the law of sin and death." — Rom. 8 ;•?. 



256 Dir IX E H E ALIX G. 

AMiy is there provision made for sickness (Jas. 5:1^1:, 15) for 
God's children, after they are saved from sin? 

For the same reason that there is a provision made for sin ; 
viz., we are hable to an attack of sickness for reasons already 
mentioned, and God has mercifully provided for us in such cases. 

How could Epaphroditus be sick after he had received the full 
benefit of the atonement ? 

For reasons already mentioned. He, like many of God's people 
today, may have also unwisely overtaxed his physical strength 
in his zeal for the cause of Christ, but whatever was the reason 
directly, he was nigh unto death ; but the record tells us that 
he did receive the benefit of the atonement and was raised up. 

When a person has been healed of one thing and has not faith 
to take the Lord for the rest, what shall be done ? 

Keep believing with all your heart, and like the father of the 
afflicted child, say," Lord I believe, help Thou mine unbelief." If 
we were to persevere in believing God for our healing as people 
do who doctor sometimes for months and years, there would be 
greater results in healing. There would be mighty developments 
of faith, and God would be glorified. 

VvQ may be very thankful that modern theology cannot change 
the glorious gospel, or surely we would have such perver- 
sions of the word of God. The Great Physician has undertaken 
the work of redemption from sin and disease, and our part in 
the plan is to implicitly follow His directions. He will be re- 
sponsible for the results. To take medicine when trusting Him 
for healing, at once expresses a lack of perfect faith. Let us 
take His prescription and we shall never be confounded. 

If physicians and medicines are to be discarded, what place do 
you assign to Luke, "the beloved physician?" 

We do not read anywhere in the history of the church that 
Luke practiced medicine after his calling into the gospel work. 
He was with Paul in much of his missionary work, but we do 
not have any example that he or Paul or any of the apostles ever 
administered medicine to the heathen in order to win them to the 
gospel. Luke was evidently wath Paul at Troas, where the young 
man fell from the third story window during that all-night meet 
ing; also on the island of Melita, where many of the barbarous 
people were healed. Luke did not have his medicine chest along. 

Were missionaries today to go out in the power of the Holy 
Ghost and faith, there would be glorious results in winning souls. 



.1/ IX D AX D FAITH CURE. 257 

The healing power of Christ instead of materia medic a, would 
have the same attraction today as it had in primitive times. A 
missionary to the Hebrides Islands once administered medicine 
to a suffering native. The medicine failed to cure, and soon a 
plague broke out among the people. The superstitious heathen 
believed it came through the missionary's medicine, and concluded 
they must make his life pay the penalty. The poor missionary 
tried to explain, but to no avail. The angry mob surrounded him 
and clubbed him to death. How much better the God-designed 
plan, to go among the heathen as Paul did to the father of Pub- 
lius. Speaking of Luke as " the beloved physician," evidently 
originated from his occupation before his calling to the gospel. 

Is it wrong to give medicine when you believe in divine 
healing? 

There may be instances in which a person is justifiable in 
administering medicines, if it is known that the medicine will htt 
helpful in removing pain or suffering, when the one to whom it is 
administered is not a Christian or cannot accept divine healing. 

Is not God sometimes glorified in sickness as in health? 

From a human standpoint this may seem true, but scripturally, 
sickness cannot glorify God any more than can sin. God is glor- 
ified in saving us from sin, and so also is He glorified in healing 
our diseases. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus said, "This sickness 
is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God 
might be glorified thereby." He was glorified in raising up 
Lazarus from the dead. He said to Martha that if she believed, 
she would see the glory of God. It was indeed a miracle that 
brought much glory to God. Immediately following we read that 
the people took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet 
Jesus upon His entrance into Jerusalem, and cried, "Hosanna, 
blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the 
Lord," and the jealous Pharisees said among themselves, "Be- 
hold, the world is gone after Him." 

In the case of the man who was born blind, we have another 
illustration of the glory of God in his restoration to sight. It 
was supposed by the disciples that either this man or his parents 
had sinned, because he had been born blind, but Jesus taught 
them that it had been permitted of God "that the works of God 
should be made manifest in him." He also shows by this blessed 
miracle what the works of God are. He said, " I must work the 
works of Him that sent me." All can see bv His life and elorious 



258 DIVINE HEALING. 

ministry that God's works through Him were not to destroy men's 
Hves, but to save them ; not to afflict with disease and sickness ; for 
He was anointed ''with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went 
about doing good and heaHng all that were oppressed of the 
Devil, for God was with Him." — Acts 10:38. 

It is the works of the Devil to bind with sin and sickness, and 
God is never glorified in them. It is the works of God to deliver 
from the bondage of the Devil's power, which deliverance is al- 
ways to the glory of God. "For this purpose the Son of God 
was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil." — 
1 Jno. 3 :8. 

If we can live in the enjoyment of good health all the time, how 
can we ever die? 

It is supposed, generally, that we must be sick in order to 
die, but there is nothing in the word of God to justify such a 
doctrine. There is nothing to prove that any of the apostles died 
with disease. 

When God was through with Moses on earth, He kissed his 
life away, and although a hundred and twenty 3^ears old, ''his eye 
was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Of the two and one- 
half millions of Israel whom God brought out of Egypt, "there 
was not one feeble person among their tribes." These facts sig- 
nify much more perhaps than many of us have paused to consider. 
It being the will of God that His people be kept from the power 
of disease, and end the days of their earthly pilgrimage in a 
mature age, let us live up to our privilege in the life of perfect 
obedience and faith, and glorify Him as did those who have 
gone before us. This truth by no means casts a reflection upon 
those of our fathers who passed away under the power of disease. 
Many had not known the will of God to heal. Many do not 
know of it today, and are yet held in the bondage of oppression. 

Man has sought out many inventions, and for thousands of 
years tried to discover natural means by which to heal diseases ; 
yet in the face of all his boasted remedies there never was so 
much sorrow and suffering under the hand of disease as there 
is today. If there is any earthly help by which suffering and 
pain can be alleviated and the poor groaning world benefited in 
the least, every heart in which there is any sympathy would re- 
joice and thank God. If such be the case and man has really 
discovered any such natural means, it has been but the discovery 
of God's laws, which He in His providence has permitted for 



MIND AXD FAITH CURE. 259 

the good of fallen man. But from a logical position the inventions 
of man along these lines are questionable. It is a lamentable fact 
that where there is one person helped by human skill, there are 
two sent to their graves by human ignorance. Thousands of in- 
telligent people to-day have ignored the use of medicines and 
drugs from a scientific standpoint; but if there is any virtue in 
any of them, and sinners and poor doubting professors will take 
their chances of being hurried to their graves by swallowing the 
deadly poisons called medicines, let them have them. But God 
has provided a remedy for sickness, and His people have a right 
to accept it; and they dishonor Him if they reject it. All other 
ground is sinking sand. Christ the Redeemer is the God-given 
remedy, and from the scriptural standpoint it is not within the 
power of man to heal diseases. 

DOES SICKNESS COME FROM GOD? 

It may be said that it matters not what or who it is that sends 
disease and sickness upon us, so long as there is a remedy pre- 
scribed for it in the word of God. This would be a logical manner 
of reasoning, were it not profitable, and in many cases necessary, 
for us to have some degree of knowledge of this subject for the 
perfect and successful exercise of faith for healing. There are 
many instances, doubtless, where healing has been obtained with- 
out such knowledge ; but as we grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of Christ and His great redemption plan, we will 
necessarily obtain a more perfect knowledge of the true law of 
cause and effect in the realm of the principalities and powers, 
with which we have to do in this life of salvation. The word and 
the spirit of God are the only sources of this knowledge. We 
are not left in darkness with reference to who or what is the 
source of sin, and with the same light there is revealed to us 
much knowledge of the source of sickness. 

It would be a reasonable conclusion from a human standpoint, 
that every good thing that can be a blessing to us comes from 
God, and every evil thing comes from Satan. This conclusion is 
also well sustained by the word of God ; but there is a truth with 
which every true believer becomes acquainted — that God can and 
does cause every evil thing from Satan, that would bring disaster 
and destruction upon us, to work out for our good (Rom. 8:28), 
provided that we love God and constantly keep in the proper 



260 D IT IX E H E ALIX G. 

attitude toward Him. This explains how and why some of the 
followers of Christ say that sickness has been a blessing to them. 
It is only in the sense that the circumstance of trial and helpless- 
ness, and the exercise of faith for deliverance, have enabled the 
believer to become more humble and dependent upon God, and 
thereby obtain more grace. In this manner every trial and temp- 
tation can be turned into a blessing, and the purpose and design 
of the Devil thwarted. But it is unscriptural to conclude, because 
we find a blessing in such experiences, that God is the source of 
the temptation or sickness. 

There may be some difficulty on the part of some of the 
people of God to understand a few of the Old Testament texts, 
from this standpoint, but it is evident that when the whole word 
of God is brought to bear upon the subject, there is a beautiful 
harmony in the testimony of both the Old Testament and the 
New Testament, and that Satan is the very cause and author of 
sickness and disease, can be very clearly determined. In the 
health covenant that God made with Israel (Ex. 15:26) He says 
that upon the conditions of implicit obedience to all His com- 
mandments and statutes, and a diligent barkening to His voice, 
He will put none of the diseases upon them which He brought 
upon the Egyptians. In the description of the curses of the law 
(Deut. 28), God plainly instructs His people again of the fact 
that if they will not obey His voice He will make their plagues 
wonderful and great, and will bring all the diseases of Egypt upon 
them. Also every sickness and plague that was not written in 
the law, them He would bring upon them until they were de- 
stroyed. 

These scriptures are the principal ones relative to this subject 
that might by themselves be interpreted to teach that God is the 
author of disease; but the one referred to, in which it said that 
He will cause the disease to ascend, plainly infers that the 
source of disease is from beneath. They shall ascend (not de- 
scend) upon them. It is perfectly in keeping with the whole 
word of God on this subject, to state that the only manner in 
which God afflicts with disease is by permitting Satan to do it. 
The statement of the experience of Job (Job 2:6, 7) teaches this 
truth plainly. " And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in 
thine hand ; but save his life. So Satan went forth from the 
presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole 



MIND AXD FAITH CURE. 261 

of his foot to his crown." It was by divine permission that Satan 
was allowed to place this loathsome disease upon Job from the 
sole of his feet to his crown. It ascended upon him. 

The New Testament affords abundant evidences that Satan 
is the direct author of disease, and that Jesus in His redemption 
work on earth operated in direct opposition to all the works of the 
Devil, of which sickness and disease were a very prominent part. 
In a number of these references evil spirits and diseases are in- 
timately associated, while others plainly state that Satan is the 
afflicter. 

"And His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought 
unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and 
torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those 
which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy : and He healed 
them."— Matt. 4 :24. 

" Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, 
blind and dumb : and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and 
dumb both spake and saw.'' — Matt. 12 :22. The circumstance 
with which tliis reference is connected and the answer that Jesus 
made to the Pharisees (verses 22-28) enables us to see that this 
case of healing was spoken of as casting out a devil. From the 
explanation which Jesus gave in verse 29 we can see from the 
whole transaction that Satan and his spirits are the strong man, 
and that sickness and disease are his goods. He cast out the 
evil spirit, and healed the man of his diseases. Evil spirits and 
diseases bear the same relation to each other as the strong man 
and his goods. Jesus the stronger man binds the strong man, 
casts him out, and spoils his goods. 

" When the even was come they brought unto Him many that 
were possessed with devils : and He cast out the spirits with His 
word, and healed all that were sick." — Matt. 8 :16. 

In Luke we read of certain women who were healed of evil 
spirits. The case of the lunatic child (Mark 9:14-27), which in 
our time would be called epilepsy, is a plain proof that Satan is 
the author of disease. " Master, I have brought imto thee my 

son, which hath a dumb spirit If Thou canst do anv- 

thing, have compassion on us, and help us. When Jesus saw- 
that the people came running together. He rebuked the foul spirit, 
saying unto him. Thou deaf and dumb spirit, I charge thee, come 
out of him. And the spirit cried and rent him sore, and came 



262 DITISEEEALiya. 

out of him, and he was as one dead, insomuch that many said, 
He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and Ufted him up, 
and he arose." 

In the acts of the apostles we also see that it was recognized 
that evil spirits and diseases were of the same nature. "There 
came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusa- 
lem, bringing- sick folks, and them which w^ere vexed with un- 
clean spirits : and they were healed every one." — Acts 5 :16. "For 
unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that 
\vere possessed with them : and many w^ere taken with palsies, and 
that were lame, were healed." — Acts 8 :?. 

" And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul : 
so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs 
or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits 
went out of them." — Acts 19:11, 12. When Peter introduced the 
gospel to the gentiles, he expressed the fact that diseases are 
the oppressions of the Devil : " How God annointed Jesus of 
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power : who went about 
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil." — 
Acts 10:38. 

The statement of Jesus Himself upon this subject should be 
conclusive to every Bible reader. " And, behold, there was a 
woman w^hich had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was 
bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when 
Jesus saw her. He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, 
thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And He laid His hands on 
her ; and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, be- 
cause that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto 
the people, There are six days in which men ought to work : in 
them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath 
day. The Lord then answered him and said, Thou hypocrite, 
doth not each one of you on the Sabbath day loose his ox or his ass 
from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not 
this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath 
bound, lo, these eighteen vears, be loosed from this bond on the 
Sabbath day?"— Luke 13 :il-16. 

A true knowledge of this scriptural doctrine is of great profit 
to us, who are subject to approaches of the enemy while in this 
life. We have found the Redeemer and His perfect remedy for 
sin and sickness. He is more than conqueror over all the power 



MIND AND FAITH CURE, 263 

of the Devil. It was His work on earth to undo the work of the 
enemy. He came to work the works of God. His work of re- 
demption has not ceased. It was continued by the apostles in 
their ministry of the gospel. Healing was as prominent in their 
work as it was in the work of Jesus. The testimony of the saints 
through every century since then establishes the fact that healing 
belongs to the right of every one who believes in Jesus. 

None of us should willingly and submissively yield to sick- 
ness, except in the sense that it might be permitted of God for 
our temporary chastisement. In every case of sickness we should 
first examine our hearts before God to find out if we have dis- 
obeyed God and thereby made it necessary for Him to chastise 
us in this manner. If so, then the cause should at once be re- 
moved. Then we should not hold our peace day or night until 
the grasp of the enemy is relinquished and our healing effected. 
We should hate sickness with a holy hatred, and resist it stead- 
fast in the faith, as we would resist the Devil himself. Where 
our faith would prove insufficient for deliverance, we should be 
prompt to obey the injunction of the apostle : "Is any sick among 
you ? let him call for the elders of the church ; and let them pray 
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord ; and 
the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise 
him up ; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven 
him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for an- 
other, that ye may be healed." — Jas. 5 :14-16. 



SUMMARIZED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON DIVINE HEALING. 

Question. What is divine healing? Answer. Divine heahng 
is the act of God's grace by the direct power of the Holy Spirit, 
by which the physical body is delivered from sickness and disease 
and restored to soundness and health. 

Qnes. Have we any promises in the Bible that divine heal- 
ing was ever intended to be an attainable blessing to the people 
of God? 

Ans. Yes. There are many such promises. We find it given 
to the children of Israel in a special covenant promise. 'Tfthou 
wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt 
do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His com- 
mandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these 



264 D I y I -V E H E ALI A' G . 

diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egpytians ; 
for I am the Lord that healeth thee." — Ex. 15:26. "And ye 
shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread and 
thv water ; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." — 
Ex. 23 :25. 

Qites. Does the Bible prove that any of the people of God 
ever enjoyed this blessing? 

Alls. Yes. We read that even before this covenant blessing 
was promised, the physical condition of the people was perfect, 
which indicates plainly that God had a special interest in their 
health. See Ps. 105 :37. There were at least two and one-half 
million people in the exodus from Egypt, "and there was not 
one feeble person among their tribes." Moses enjoyed this 
blessing in a special manner. Deut. 34:7. So did Caleb in an 
unusual experience of preservation of health to an old age. Josh. 
]1:10, 11. David personally knew the benefits and blessings of 
healing. Ps. 6 :2 ; 30 :2 ; 103 :1-L Whenever Israel lived up to the 
covenant conditions, they all had the benefits of healing and health. 
Ps. 107 :20 ; 2 Chron. 30 :20. Hezekiah had a personal experience 
of the same. 2 Kings 20 :l-5. 

Ques. Was this blessing ever promised to any one else than 
the Jews? 

Ans. Yes. It is given in prophecy as a redemption blessing, 
which, with all other gospel blessings through Christ, is offered 
to both Jew and Gentile. Gal. 3 :27-29. 

Ques. W^hat does prophecy say about divine healing? 

Alls. There is more said about it in prophecy than we have 
time at present to read, but I will just quote a few verses, and 
the rest can be read at your leisure. "Then the eyes of the blind 
shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then 
shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb 
sing." — Isa. 35 :5, 6. This very prophecy is referred to by Jesus 
himself in Matt. 11 :5, 6. where it was daily being fulfilled — "The 
blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, 
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached 
unto them." Another very plain prophecy is found in Isa. 53 A — 
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows." The 
fulfillment of this wonderful voice of inspiration is found in Matt. 
8:17 — "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." 
It is admitted by all reliable translators and the most eminent 
Hebrew scholars, such as Barnes, Magee, Young, and Leeser, 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 265 

that Isa. 53 :4 in its literal rendering corresponds exactly with 
IMatt. 8 :1T. We see, therefore, that the latter is a direct reference 
to the former. Then the beautiful prophecy of salvation and 
healing is found in the following verse, viz. : Isa. 53 :5 — "But He 
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for oiu* 
iniquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon Him ; and 
with His stripes we are healed." These prophecies all point to the 
redemption work of Jesus, which finds its center in the cross. 
The apostle Peter refers to this verse just quoted in the following 
language: "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on 
the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteous- 
ness : by Whose stripes ye were healed." — 1 Pet. 2 :24. The fol- 
lowing references will enable you to see that more is said in 
prophecy about healing: Isa. 43:7; Isa. 61:1. Fulfilled in Luke 
4:18-21. Prophecy in Mai. 4:2. Fulfihed in Matt. 4:16; Luke 
1 :T8, 79. l^hese are all fulfilled in redemption. 

Ques. Do you believe that the Bible teaches divine healing 
as a redemption blessing? 

Alls. Yes. Do you not see how plain this is made in the 
prophecies just quoted and in their fulfillment? Jesus worked in 
every respect, in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection, just 
according to the redemption plan. His words and deeds are the 
divine expression of this redemption plan, and we can clearly see 
that healing for the body is placed upon an equal with healing 
for the soul. Both are obtained upon the same grounds — obedience 
and faith. 

Qiies. Can a person possess salvation without healing? 

Ans. Yes ; he may. While both are obtained by faith, yet they 
may not both be obtained by the same act of faith. Jesus will be 
to us just what our faith takes Him for. 

Ques. Did Jesus heal everybody? 

Ans. Yes ; ah who came to Him in faith. Read Matt. 4 :23, 24 
and Matt. 12:15. 

Ques. But they did not seem to have faith, did they? 

Ans. Yes. If you read the references just mentioned, you will 
notice the people "came to Him" for healing, and "followed Him." 
At Nazareth, His own town where He had been brought up, He 
could do no great work among them, because of their unbelief. At 
Capernaum, where some of the most remarkable healings were 
wrought, the people were a believing people. Out of nineteen of 
the most prominent individual cases of hcalino- in the ministry 



266 DIVINE HEALING. 

of Christ and the apostles, there are twelve of these where their 
faith is spoken of. The rest are mentioned sufficiently plain 
to show that faith brought the healing in every case. 

Ques. Did not Jesus heal arbitrarily, for the sole purpose 
of establishing His divinity? 

Ans. No. He healed according to the law of redemption, 
and because of His great compassion to suffering humanitv. 
Matt. 14 :14. 

Ques. Did not healing cease when Jesus finished His earthly 
ministry ? 

Ans. No. It was more wonderfully manifested in the min- 
istry of the apostles, after the day of Pentecost. Acts. 5 :12-16 ; 
3:1-16; 14:8-10; 9:17, 18; 8:6-8; 19:11, 12; 14:19, 20; 9:33-35; 
36 :42 ; 20 :8-12 ; 28 :3-6, 8. This proves clearly that divine healing 
is a redemption blessing for the entire Holy Spirit dispensation. 

Ques. But we are taught that it was only for the beginning of 
the gospel dispensation. How about that? 

Ans. The Bible does not teach any such doctrine. 

Ques. But does it not teach that ''when that which is perfect 
is come, then that which is in part shall be done away"? — 1. Cor. 
13:10. How about this? 

Ans. This scripture has no reference to divine healing or 
any other of the redemption blessings, that they shall be done 
away in this dispensation. If there ever has been a time in this 
dispensation when it could have been said with reference to 
the full possession and manifestation of the gospel blessings, 
that "that which is perfect is come," it was when the Holy Ghost 
came at Pentecost: but we see that after that these mighty 
works of salvation were in no sense ''done away," but were greatly 
increased. So you see the "done away" argument has no scrip- 
tural basis whatever. As long as the dispensation of grace shall 
last, so long shall the benefits of grace be extended to "whosoever 
will." 

Ques. Well, then, when was divine healing done away with? 

Ans. In the design of God it was never done away. 

Ques. Do you mean to say that it was perpetuated in the 
primitive church? 

Ans. Certainly it was. History shows that for several cen- 
turies there was no other means of healing practiced in the church. 

Ques. But what after that ? 

Ans. Just what crowded out all the gospel truths — the super- 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE. 267 

stition and unbelief of the apostasy. But, thank God, the dark- 
ness is past and the Sun of Righteousness with heahng in His 
wings is shining salvation and health to all who will forsake all 
their old doctrines, creeds, and superstitions, and get back upon 
the old apostolic foundation, the Word of God. 

Ques. But how may I know that it is still God's will to heal ? 

Ans. Just as you may know that it is His will to save — by 
His word. His word is His will. 

Ques. But it may be His will not to heal me. 

Ans. You must go outside of God's word to find standmg 
ground for such a conclusion ; for there is nothing inside of the 
Bible about healing, but what corresponds with the blessed text: 
''Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." Most 
people who argue that it might not be God's will to heal them, are 
at the same time taking medicine and employing every possible 
human agency to get well. Why be so inconsistent ? Why fight 
God's will ? If it is His will for us not to get well, then die. Stop 
fighting against God. 

Ques. But does not sickness come from God as a blessing? 

Ans. No. It never comes from God only in a permissive 
sense, the same as a temptation comes to us ; and sickness is never 
a blessing to us only as any other temptation or trial may be con- 
sidered a blessing. The blessing is in the deliverance and healing. 
Every person who has ever experienced the healing touch of God 
knows what a blessing to the soul comes with it. Sickness is an 
abnormal condition of the body and can not be a blessing from 
God. 

Ques. If it does not come from God, then where does it come 
from? 

Ans. It comes from the Devil, and was always dealt with by 
Jesus in His earthly ministry as a work of the Devil. The word 
of God plainly teaches us that the Devil is the author of disease. 
Read Job. 2 :7 ; Luke 3 :16 ; Acts 1 :38. 

Ques. But are there not some other scriptures that teach 
us that sickness comes from God? 

Ans. Only in a permissive sense. 

Ques. Does the Bible teach that God intends to be the healer 
of His people without the use of medicine ? 

Ans. Yes. It nowhere commands the use of medicine with 
prayer and faith. 

Qiics. But how about Hezekiah's figs, the blind man's clay, 
and Timothy's wine? 



268 DIVINEHEALI y G . 

Alls. It is true Isaiah told Hezekiah to take a lump of figs, 
but this has nothing to do with the New Testament means of 
healing. Also it is very evident that the figs did not heal him; 
but God said, "I will heal thee." Jesus did not use the clay 
on the eyes of the blind man for any curative power ; for He com- 
manded the man at once to go and wash it off. No one has heard 
of born blindness being healed by the use of clay as a medicine 
since then, or ever before. It is evident that the spittle and clay 
were used by Jesus as a requirement of submission and obedience 
from the blind man. The thought must have been repulsive and 
humiliating to him as the clay was applied to his eyes, but like 
Naaman he submitted and obeyed and received the blessing un- 
speakable, of healing. The juice of the grape was recommended 
to Timothy as an article of diet, and would not be objectionable 
today, in its proper use, under similar circumstances. 

Qucs. Are not medicines recognized in the word of God? 

A)is. Yes. Let us read how it recognizes them. "Thou hast 
no healing medicines." — Jer. 30 :13. 'Tn vain shalt thou use many 
medicines." — Jer. 46 :11. "A merry heart doth good like a medi- 
cine." (margin, to a medicine, showing that the merry heart is 
better than the medicine.) — Prov. 17:2,2. "And the fruit thereof 
shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." — Ezek. 
46 :12. This latter reference does not mean any material remedy, 
but is prophetical of the tree of life and divine healing. See also 
Rev. 22 :2. Thus we see the word of God places no intrinsic 
value upon medicine. 

Qties. Is not the ministry of physicians for the body designed 
by God, the same as the ministry of the gospel for the houl "^ 

Alls. No. The greater portion of the physicians of the land 
are ungodly people, many of them professed infidels, and were 
never designed of God to administer drugs and poisons to any one ; 
much less to the people of God, whose bodies are the sacred 
temples of the Holy Spirit. The true ministers of the gospel are 
ministers for soul and body. "And they departed and went 
through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. 
— Luke 9:6. "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, 
the Lord working with them, and confirming His word with signs 
following."— Mark 16 :20. 

Ques. But is not the ministrv of physicians recognized in the 
Bible? 

Alls. Yes. Let us read how it recognizes them. "But ye are 



AI I y D Ay D FAITH C V li E . 269 

forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no valne." — job 13 :4. 

"And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased 
in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great : yet in his disease 
he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians." — 2 Chron. 16 :12. 
"And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent 
all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew 
worse." — Mark 5 :26. These scriptures show that the Bible gives 
no very favorable recognition of physicians. 

Qiies. Was not anointing with oil the mode of doctoring 
in Bible times ? 

Aus. No. While some kinds of oil may have some niedical 
value for some kinds of disease, it was not at all designed for any 
such use in connection with the prayer of faith in healing the 
sick. If anointing was the mode of doctoring, the church would 
have had no need of instruction in this respect ; for it would have 
been a common practice everywhere by the doctors, and had 
this been the mind of the apostle, then he would have assigned 
the work of anointing to the doctors, and his instructions would 
have been given something after the following ridiculous manner, 
which ought to make every divine-healing-fighter hide his face 
with shame: Is any sick among you? let him send for the doctor 
and let him anoint him, and the anointing shall save the sick. The 
effectual fervent use of snch anointing avail eth much. It would 
be wisdom for professed ministers of the gospel to take an attitude 
toward God's word which would harmonize witli it. It would be 
more honest to declare outright that they do not believe the Bible 
than to try to cover up their unbelief by perverting it. God has 
assigned this sacred ministry of anointing and praying the prayer 
of faith for healing the sick to the elders of His church. 

Qties. But do you not think that we ought to employ a 
physician and then ask God to bless the medicine ? 

Ans. No. That is not God's way of healing, and furthermore 
it is a question to many intelligent and scientific people about the 
use of poisonous drugs and medicines which are so generally rsed 
today. 

Qnes. What! Do you mean to say that there is no healing 
virtue in medicines and drugs? 

Ans. According to many of the medical authorities there is 
not. Whatever benefit there may be in them, there is evidentlv 
much more harm done by their use than there is good. Dr. Jas. B. 
Bell of Boston, an eminent physician and believer in divine heal- 



270 DIVINE HEALING. 

ing, in writing about the blind faith of people in the use of patent 
medicines, says: "But to be faithful, I must also warn you against 
the use of drugs by physicians. Narcotics, sedatives, stimulants, 
tonics, quinine, antipyrine, and hundreds of others, are injining 
brains and nerves, stomachs and livers, bringing on heart failure, 
and doing far more harm than good." Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes 
said that if all the drugs were cast into the sea, it would be better 
for humanity, but worse for the fishes. Dr. Bell said : "I believe 
that if the advice of Dr. Holmes were followed, and physicians 
would confine themselves to giving good advice and mechanical 
and surgical aid when needed, the mortality would improve four 
or five per cent., or, in other words, there would be a saving of 
about 3,000 lives (annually) in New England alone, and probably 
much more than that." In speaking of the belief of some who 
would take medicine and then ask God to bless it, he says, "If what 
Dr. Holmes says is true, it would require a miracle to save the 
fishes, and ho\y much more to save the people ; how much more 
divine power, so to speak, to overcome both the disease and the 
ill effect of the drugs? Many testimonies of noted and honored 
men who have spent their lives in the study and practice of 
medicine can be given, which show the danger and uncertainty of 
drugs. 

Qnes. What attitude do physicians generally take toward 
divine healing? 

Alls. We will let Dr. Bell answer. He says : "I would say 
first, There can be no antagonism between the medical profession 
and divine healing. (Of course, he must have reference to good 
conscientious people of the profession.) First, because of the 
vast number of incurable cases for which medical or surgical 
treatment can do little or nothing. New England has 4,600,000 
inhabitants, of whom 1,500 die every year of cancer, 15,000 of 
consumption, and about 80,000 from all causes. Can you believe 
that the medical profession would not welcome the incoming of a 
measure of divine power which would save all this sufiiering, and 
prolong all these lives, or, at least, of the useful and saved ones, till 
three score years and ten? Or, if only a few should have the 
faith to grasp this blessing, what physician can there be found 
who would not rejoice? It is not the M. D.'s but the D. D.'s who 
oppose this teaching." 

Ques. Why do the D. D.'s oppose it? 

Alls. Because of their shameful cowardice. IManv of them, if 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 271 

not all, can not but see this precious doctrine in the Bible : but 
there are a very few if any of these men, who are preaching 
for salary who have the moral or Christian courage to 
preach the full gospel. Their salary and reputation are at stake, 
and they are very careful to preach nothing that will offend their 
worldly supporters. This is a great wrong, and every man who 
thus keeps back the truth from the people will have to answer for * t 
at the great day of reckoning. Because they are afraid to preach 
the truth they try to make themselves disbelieve it, and to justify 
themselves they must oppose it. 

Ques. Was not Luke spoken of as the beloved physician? 

Ans. Yes (in Col. 4 :14) ; but this does not signify that he was 
practicing after he went into the gospel work. There is no record, 
nor the slightest intimation, that he did. It was evident that he 
was present with Paul at Troas where the young man Eutychus 
was restored to life. However, there is nothing said about Luke 
interfering with any medical suggestions. He was called the 
physician in this reference, very likely because of his former pro- 
fession. 

Ques. If healing is for us all, how can we ever die ? 

Ans. The same as the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, the saints 
of the first three centuries, and many of them in the nineteenth 
century — without disease, "like as a shock of corn cometh in in his 
season." There were many also whose lives were cut short by 
martyrdom. There is not the slightest shadow of intimation 
in the Bible that we must die of disease. 

Qiies. Why is it then that so many of our fathers and mothers 
have died of disease ? 

Ans. Because divine healing has been so little taught. Manv 
never heard about it, only that it could not be obtained in this life. 

Qiies. Why are there some who believe in healing, and seem- 
ingly fail to obtain it ? 

Ans. There are many reasons why. Many people do not give 
God a fair chance to heal them, because they will not meet all the 
conditions of His Word. There are thousands of secret sins, each 
one of them enough to hinder their faith from laying hold upon 
God. The apostle says : "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, 
then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, 
we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do 
those things that are pleasing in His sight." — 1 Jno. 3 :21, 22. It 
means much to live in God's sio-ht where our hearts condemn us 



272 D IT IX E H E ALIX G. 

not. Some also who come to God for healing, come only to "try 
healing," as they would try some new doctor. They would be 
glad to buy it with money, but when they find that it costs every sin 
and requires a holy walk with God, they become offended and get 
nothing from God. Jesus said in connection with healing (oMatt 
11:6) : "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in ]\Ie.'' 
Others whose faith is not sufficient at the time to grasp the 
promises and get the blessing, become discouraged and give up ; 
whereas, they should keep upon believing ground until the bless- 

comes. 

Ones. But are there not a few who seem to have met every 
condition and still fail to get the blessing ? 

Ans. Yes, apparently so. Yet it is evident that some of the 
conditions have not been met. It may be no fault on the part of 
the individual, only that it may be the lack of determined faith : 
but whatever it may be, there is a lack on the part of the indi- 
vidual somewhere ; for God's part is complete, and when ours is 
the work must be done. As the church advances in spiritual light 
and power, there will be a better understanding of some of these 
cases. 

Ques. Should a person who can not seem to get the blessing, 
then go to taking medicine ? 

Ajis. Xo. He should get nearer to God, and wait upon Him 
in importunity until his faith brings the blessing. 

Ques. But suppose he does not get it then? 

A]is. Faith does not suppose. 

Ques. But have not some died while thus waiting on God? 

Aus. If they have, they have honored God by dying in the 
faith. If some imknown cause hindered their faith from getting 
hold on God, and God would not heal, then no human remedy 
could help them. In such a case what God zi'ould not do, man 
eould not do. 

Ques. How about innocent children, and persons whose af- 
flictions render them incapable of exercising faith ? 

Ajis. In such cases intercessory faith will bring the blessing 
for them. 

Ques. What is intercessory faith? 

Ans. It is the exercise of faith by one person for another. 
Parents can exercise faith for the healing of their children, or any 
child of God can help another. 

Ques. Can intercessory faith bring healing to another person 
who is responsible to obey and believe for himself? 



3IIX D AXD FAITH CURE . 273 

Ans. Yes. There may be cases where this is done for the 
time, but in every case, each responsible person must sooner or 
later come to the place where his individual responsibility must 
be acted upon, and perfect obedience rendered to God. 

Qnes. What steps must be taken to obtain healing? 

Ans. Obedience and faith. 

Qnes. What means must be used? 

Ans. There are different scriptural means. 

1. Anointing with oil and the prayer of faith. James 5 :l-i. 

2. Laying on of hands of them that believe. Mark 16 :18. 

3. The praver of faith individuallv. John 15:7; 2 Kings 
20:1-5. 

4. The prayer of faith through one or more intercessors. John 
4:49, 50; Matt. 8:5, 13; 9:2, 8. 

Qnes. Is it not possible that people may be healed through 
Satanic power? 

Ans. Yes. The Devil has power to work miracles (Rev. 
16 :13, 14), and when souls can be the easier deceived by them, he 
will give the deception. He is the author of disease, and has 
power to remove it, if by so doing he can more easily hold his 
subjects in darkness. Every professed healer, or teacher of heal- 
ing, and every one who claims healing, who denies the blood of 
Christ as the sacrifice for sin, is Antichrist and of the Devil ; no 
matter what miraculous manifestations of healing, or otherwise, 
they may claim to produce. Gal 1 :8, 9. 

Qnes. How may we know the difference between these coun- 
terfeits and the teachers of divine healing ? 

Ans. Every true minister of the gospel preaches divine healing 
to a greater or less extent, depending upon the light received, and 
always demands the Bible requirements of every sinner — "repent- 
ance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" — and 
never claims to heal any one, but simply prays the prayer of faith, 
and attributes all healing power to God through Jesus Christ, and 
never takes any fees for such service. 

Qucs. Does not God give the "gifts of healing" to some? 

Ans. Yes. This is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 
12:9, 30.), which is given to such persons in the church of God 
as can glorify Him therewith. The gifts of healing are the various 
scriptural means designed of God to be used in cases of emergency 
by every true minister and child of God, but, as an individual 
endowment, to certain ones who are called and qualified bv the 
Holy Spirit to the ministry of healing. 



274 DIVINE HEALING. 

Qiies. What is the grace of healing ? 

Ans. It is our redemption right to heaHng, the same as justifi- 
cation and sanctification, purchased for us through the atonement 
and offered to all who will meet the Bible conditions. 

Ques. Is it right then for us always to pray for each other's 
healing and health ? 

Ans. Yes. "Beloved, I wish (pray) above all things, that 
thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 
— 3 Jno. 2. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for 
another, that ye may be healed." — Jas. 5 :16. 



PART II, 

An lllustratecl Graphic History of the Life 

of our Lord and Savior, 

Jesus Christ. 

Biographical Sketch and Biblical History 

of His Teachings and Wonderful 

Miracles Performed While 

Here on Earth. 




THP: nativity of our lord and SAXIOR, JESUS CHRIST. 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 279 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS 

CHRIST. 

(LUKE 2:6-11.) 

''And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree 
from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 

'' (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor 
of Syria.) 

"And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of 
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth- 
lehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David). 

'To be taxed, with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with 
child. 

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were ac- 
complished that she should be delivered. 

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in 
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; because there was no 
room for them in the inn. 

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the 
field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory 
of the Lord shone round about them ; and they were sore afraid. 

"And the angel said unto them. Fear not : for, behold, I bring 
you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 
which is Christ, the Lord. 

Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and, in company with 
wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was 
born King of the Jews, for we, by faith, can claim an interest in 
Him, and sing, ''Unto us a child is born; 7i7ito tis a son is given.'' 
Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our bro- 
ther and friend ; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very 
first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of 
before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and 
bear a son. "The Lord hath created a new thing in earth ; a wo- 
man shall compass a man." The first promise ran thus : "The seed 
of the woman," not the offspring of the man. Since venturous 
woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, 



280 DIVIXE HEALiyO. 

she. and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our 
Savior, ahhough truly man, was, as to His human nature, the 
Holy One of God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was 
born of the virgin without the taint of original sin which apper- 
tains to all those who are born of the flesh. Let us reverently bow 
before the Holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its 
ancient glory ; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the 
hope of glory. Fail not to note His humble parentage. His 
mother, our morning's portion describes simply as "a virgin," not a 
princess or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True, her 
lineage was not to be despised, for the blood of kings ran in her 
veins ; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could 
sing most sweetly a song of praise ; but yet how humble her po- 
sition, how poor the man to whom she stood afhanced, and how 
miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King ! 
Thus has poverty become consecrated, and men of low estate are 
exalted to honor. Every believer is a portarit of Christ, but a poor 
saint is the same well-drawn picture hung in the selfsame frame 
of poverty which surrounds the Master's image. 

We esteem every day alike, but still, as the season and the gen- 
eral custom suggest thoughts of Jesus, let us joyfully remember 
our dear Redeemer's glorious birth. Every day should be the 
birthday of the Savior to a renewed soul. Amid all that is humili- 
ating, there is much that is honorable in the circumstances of the 
birth of our Immanuel. AVhose birth was ever ushered in by a 
long train of prophecy, or longed for by such a multitude of hearts ? 
Who but He can boast of a forerunner who marked Him as the 
coming Man ? When did angels indulge in midnight songs, or did 
God ever hang a new star in the sky before ? To whose cradle did 
rich and poor make so willing a pilgrimage, and offer such hearty 
and unsought oblations? Well may earth rejoice; well may all 
men cease their labor to celebrate "the great birthday" of Jesus. 
O Bethlehem, house of bread, we see in thee our hopes forever 
gratified. 'Tis He, the Savior, long foretold, to usher in the age oi 
gold. Let gladness rule the hour ; let holy song and sweet heart- 
music accompany our soul in its raptures of delight. 

The golden name, ImmanucU is inexpressibly delightful. It Is 
a word fit for the lips of cherubim for its majesty, but because of 
its marvellous condescension, none but men can utter it. He is not 
so with seraphs as He is liith us. God with us in our nature, in 
our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and 



M I y D A y D F AI T H C U R E . 281 

now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, 
triumph, and second advent splendor. The Babe of Bethlehem 
appears to be manifestly with us in weakness and in poverty ; let us 
not forget that He is equally near us in His glory and honor. 
Faith clasps the child, and love kisses Him with the kisses of her 
lips. O for true spiritual fellow^ship with Immanuel all this day ! 

When a person is dear, everything connected with him becomes 
dear for His sake. Thus, so precious is the person of the Lord 
Jesus in the estimation of all true believers that everything about 
Him they consider to be inestimable beyond all price. "All thy 
garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia," said David, as 
if the very vestments of the Savior were so sweetened by His per- 
son that he could not but love them. Certain it is, that there is 
not a spot where that hallowed foot hath trodden — there is not a 
word which those blessed lips have uttered — nor a thought which 
His loving Word has revealed — w^hich is not to us precious beyond 
all price. And this is true of the names of Christ — they are all 
sweet in the believer's ear. AVhether He be called the Husband of 
the Church, her Bridegroom, her Friend ; whether He be styled the 
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world — the King, the 
Prophet, or the Priest — every title of our Master — Shiloh, Im- 
manuel, Wonderful, the Mighty Counsellor — every name is like the 
honeycomb dropping with honey, and luscious are the drops that 
distill from it. But if there be one name sweeter than another in 
the believer's ear, it is the name of Jcsns. Jesus ! It is the name 
which moves the harps of heaven to melody. Jesus ! the life of all 
our joys. If there be one name more charming, more precious 
than another, it is this name. It is woven into the ver}' warp and 
woof of our psalmody. Many of our hymns begin with it, and 
scarcely any, that are good for anything, end without it. It is the 
sum total of all delights. It is the music with which the bells of 
heaven ring ; a song in a word ; an ocean for comprehension, al- 
though a drop for brevity ; a matchless oratorio in two syllables ; a 
gathering up of the hallelujahs of eternity in five letters. 

''Jesus, I love Thy charming name ; 
'Tis music to mine ear." 



282 D IT ly E H E A L I \ (J . 



GOD INCARNATE. 

Hark ! the herald-angels sing, 
"Glory to the newborn King; 
Peace on earth, and mercy mild ; 
God and sinners reconciled." 

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 
Join the triumphs of the skies ; 
With angelic hosts proclaim, 
"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Christ, by highest heaven adored, 
Christ, the everlasting Lord ; 
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see ; 
Hail, incarnate Deity ! 

Hail the heaven-born Prince of peace! 
Hail the Sun of Righteousness ! 
Light and life to all He brings, 
Risen with healing in His wings. 

Charles Wesley. 




".-••^tfi^^i^^Ji 




THE MAGI ON THEIR JOURNEY 



M IX D A N D FAITH CU R E . 285 

THE MAGI ON THEIR JOURNEY. 

(matt. 2:1, 2.) 

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Jiidea, in the 
days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the 
East to Jerusalem, 

"Saying-, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we 
have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." 

What was the subject of their praise? They praised God for 
zvhat they had heard — for the good tidings of great joy that a 
Savior was born unto them. Let us copy them ; let us also raise a 
song of thanksgiving that we have heard of Jesus and His salva- 
tion. They also praised God for zvhat they had seen. There is the 
sweetest music — what we have experienced, what we have felt 
within, what we have made our own — "the things which we have 
made touching the King." It is not enough to hear about Jesus: 
mere hearing may tune the harp, but the fingers of living faith 
must create the music. If you have seen Jesus with the God- 
given sight of faith, suffer no cobwebs to linger among the 
harpstrings, but loud to the praise of sovereign grace, awake 
your psaltery and harp. 



Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, 
All our sins were on Thee laid ; 

By Almighty Love anointed, 

Thou hast full atonement made. 

All Thy people are forgiven 

Through the virtue of Thy blood : 
Opened is the gate of heaven ; 

Peace is made 'twixt man and God. 



PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 

(LUKE 2:22-34.) 

"And when the days of her purification according to the law oi 
IVIoses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to pre- 
sent Him to the Lord ; 



286 DiriXE HE A LIS G. 

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name u^as 
Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the 
consolation of Israel : and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 

"And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he 
should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

"And he came by the Spirit into the temple : and when the 
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom 
of the law, 

"Then he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said. 
Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to 
Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.'' 

"Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people ; 

"A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people 
Lsrael. 

"And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which 
were spoken of Him. 

"And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary, his mother. 
Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in 
Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against." 



]\Iy soul doth magnify the Lord, 

]\Iy spirit doth rejoice ; 
To Thee my Savior and my God 

I lift my joyful voice. 

I need not go abroad for joys, 
I have a feast at home ; 

Aly sighs are turned into songs, 
j\Iy heart has ceased to roam. 

Dowm from above the blessed Dove 
Is come into my breast. 

To witness Thine eternal love, 
And give my spirit rest. 

]\Iy God, I'll praise Thee while I live. 
And praise Thee when I die. 

And praise Thee when I rise again, 
And to eternitv. 




THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. 



M IX D Ay D FAITH CV RE . 289 

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. 
(matt. 2:13, 14.) 

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord 
appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young 
child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until 
I bring thee word : for Herod will seek the young child to destroy 
him. 

"When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by 
night and departed into Egypt." 

Bitter mourning and woe were brought upon Bethlehem by 
Herod, but his purpose to slay Jesus was baffled, for when the wise 
men had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to 
Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and 
his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring 
thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." 
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother, by night, 
and departed into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, 
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the 
prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt have I called My Son." 

The artist has here presented a very sweet and tender scene. 
The little group of father, mother and child, with their plodding, 
patient beast, have just mounted some rising ground, from which 
Joseph throws a backward glance of troubled watchfulness, while 
Mary's countenance, raised to heaven, seems to rest in the help 
she so divinely seeks ; the child, alone unconscious, dreams in its 
mother's arms a wakeful dream under the deep, calm skies. 

THE RETURN FROM EGYPT. 
(matt. 2:19-21.) 

"But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord ap- 
peareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 

"Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and 
go into the land of Israel : for they are dead which sought the 
young child's life. 

"And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and 
came into the land of Israel." 



290 DIVINE HEALING. 

THE FATHER SENT THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOR OF 

THE WORLD. 

(1 JOHN 4:14-.) 

It is a sweet thought that Jesus Christ did not come forth with- 
out His Father's permission, authority, consent, and assistance. 
He was sent of the Father, that He might be the Savior of men. 
We are too apt to forget, that while there are distinctions as to the 
persons in the Trinity, there are no distinctions of honor. We too 
frequently ascribe the honor of our salvation, or at least the depths 
of its benevolence, more to Jesus Christ than we do to the Father. 
This is a very great mistake. What if Jesus came ? Did not His 
Father send Him? If He spake wondrously, did not His 
Father pour grace into His lips, that He might be an able minister 
of the new covenant ? He who knoweth the Father, and the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost as he should know them, never setteth one 
before another in his love ; he sees them at Bethlehem, 
.at Gethsemane, and on Calvary, all equally engaged in the 
work of salvation. O Christian, hast thou put thy confidence in 
the Man Christ Jesus? Hast thou placed thy reliance solely on 
Him? And art united with Him? Then believe that thou art 
united unto the God of heaven. Since to the ]\Ian Christ Jesus 
thou art a brother, and boldest closest fellowship, thou art linked 
thereby with God the Eternal, and "the Ancient of days" is thy 
Father and thy Friend. Didst thou ever consider the depth of lo\e 
in the heart of Jehovah, when God the Father equipped His Son 
for the great enterprise of mercy ? If not, be this thy day's medita- 
tion. The Father sent Him ! Contemplate that subject. Think 
how Jesus works what the Father wills. In the wounds of the 
dying Savior see the love of the great I AM. Let every thought of 
Jesus be also connected with the Eternal, ever blessed God, for 
"it pleased the Lord to bruise Him ; He hath put Him to grief." 



^•*F.fv^-rK:i?;^'!§..-l 




*ti-^^^»^J> 



SAINT JOHN PREACHING 



M IN D AND FAITH CURE. 293 

SAINT JOHN PREACHES.— HIS OFFICE, LIFE AND 
BAPTISM. 

(matt. 3 :l-(3.) 

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilder- 
ness of Judea, 

"And saying. Repent ye : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

"For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, 
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of 
the Lord, make His paths straight. 

"And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a 
leathern girdle about his loins ; and his meat was locusts and 
wild honey. 

"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the 
region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, 
confessing their sins." 



THE PREACHING AND BAPTISM OF SAINT JOHN. 

(luke 3:3-G.) 

"And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the 
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins ; 

"As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the 
prophet, saying. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare 
ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. 

"Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall 
be brought low ; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the 
rough ways shall be made smooth ; 

"And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." 

The voice crying in the wilderness demanded a way for the 
Lord, a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I 
would be attentive to the Master's proclamation, and give Him a 
road into my heart, cast up by gracious operations, through ihc 
desert of my nature. 

Ez'ery valley must be exalted. Low and groveling thoughts 
of God must be given up ; doubting and despairing must be re- 
moved ; and self-seeking and carnal delights must be forsaken. 
Across these deep valleys a glorious causeway of grace must be 
raised. 



294 DIVINE HEALING. 

Every mountain and hill shall be laid low. Proud creature- 
sufficiency, and boastful self-righteousness, must be leveled, to 
make a highway for the King of kings. Divine fellowship is never 
vouchsafed to haughty, high-minded sinners. The Lord hath re- 
spect unto the lowly, and visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty 
are an abomination unto Him. 

The crooked shall be made straight. The wavering heart 
must have a straight path of decision for God and holiness marked 
out for it. Double-minded men are strangers to the God of 
truth. 

The rough places shall be made smooth. Stumbling-blocks 
of sin must be removed, and thorns and briers of rebellion must be 
uprooted. So great a visitor must not find miry ways and stony 
places when He comes to honor His favored ones with His 
company. 







THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. 



M I y D A y D FAITH C U R E . 297 

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. 
(matt. 34:13-16.) 

''Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to bo 
baptized of him. 

"But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of 
Thee, and comest Thou to me? 

"And Jesus answering said unto him. Suffer it to be so now : 
for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suf- 
fered Him. 

"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out 
of the water : and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He 
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon 
Him: 

"And lo, a voice from heaven, saying. This is My beloved Son, 
in whom I am well pleased." 

"He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove." The dove 
has ever been the chosen type of purity, and the Holy Spirit is 
holiness itself. Where He cometh, everything that is pure and 
lovely, and of good report, is made to abound, and sin and un- 
cleanness depart. Peace reigns also where the Holy Dove comes 
with power ; He bears the olive branch which shows that the 
waters of divine wrath are assuaged. Gentleness is a sure result 
of the Sacred Dove's transforming power : hearts touched by His 
benign influence are meek and lowly henceforth and forever. 
Harnilessness follows, as a matter of course ; eagles and ravens 
may hunt their prey — the turtle-dove can endure wrong, but can- 
not inflict it. We must be harmless as doves. The dove is an 
apt picture of loi'e, the voice of the turtle is full of affection ; 
and so, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit abounds in love to 
God, in love to the brethren, and in love to sinners ; and, above all, 
in love to Jesus. 

Expand Thy wings, celestial Dove, 

Brood o'er our nature's night. 
On our disordered spirits move. 

And let there now be light. 

God, through Himself, we then shall know, 

If Thou within us shine : 
And sound, with all Thy saints below. 

The depths of love divine. 



298 D IT IX E H E ALiy G . 

Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy, even though I 
am now weary with its toils. Unto the Preserver of men lift I my 
song of gratitude. The dove found no rest out of the ark, and 
therefore returned to it; and my soul has learned yet more fully 
than ever, this day, that there is no satisfaction to be found in 
earthly things — God alone can give rest to my spirit. As to my 
business, my possessions, my family, my attainments, these are all 
well enough in their way, but they cannot fulfill the desires of my 
immortal nature. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord 
hath dealt bountifully with thee." It was at the still hour, when 
the gates of the day were closing, that with weary wing the dove 
came back to her master : O Lord, enable me this evening thus to 
return to Jesus. She could not endure to spend a night hovering 
over the restless waste, nor can I bear to be even for another hour 
away from Jesus, the rest of my heart, the home of my spirit. 
She did not merely alight upon the roof of the ark, she "came in 
to him" ; even so would my longing spirit look into the secret of the 
Lord, pierce to the interior of truth, enter into that which is 
within the veil, and reach to my Beloved in every deed. To 
Jesus must I come : short of the nearest and dearest intercourse 
with Him my panting spirit cannot stay. Blessed Lord Jesus, be 
with me, reveal Thyself, and abide with me all night, so that when 
I awake, I may be still with Thee. I note that the dove brought 
in her mouth an olive branch plucked off, the memorial of the 
past day, and a prophecy of the future. Have I no pleasing record 
to bring home? Xo pledge and earnest of loving-kindness yet 
to come ? Yes, my Lord, I present Thee my grateful acknowledge- 
ments for tender mercies which have been new every morning 
and fresh every evening ; and now, I pray Thee, put forth Thy 
hand and take Thv dove into Thv bosom. 




JESUS WAS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS. 



M I y D A N D FAITH C U R E . 301 

JESUS WAS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS. 
(luke 4:1-4:.) 

''And Jesus being- full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, 
and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 

'T^)eing forty days tempted of the Devil. And in those days 
He did eat nothing ; and when they were ended, He afterward 
hungered. 

"And the Devil said unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, 
command this stone that it be made bread. 

"And Jesus answered him, saying'. It is written, that man shall 
not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." 

A holy character does not avert temptation — Jesus was 
tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; 
but in Christ's case, it was like striking sparks on water ; yet the 
enemy continued his evil work. Now if the Devil goes on striking 
when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he 
knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of ! Though you 
become greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that the great 
dog of hell will bark at you still. 

Your hearts may glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, 
and yet the Devil will try to bring you down to Laodicean luke- 
warmness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to 
lay aside his armor, I will tell you when Satan has left off temp- 
tation. Like the old knights in war time, we must sleep with 
helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch-deceiver will seize 
our first unguarded hour to make us his prey. 

Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with 
evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that 
Satan hinders us. From all points of the compass, all along the 
line of battle, in the vanguard and in the rear, at 
the dawn of day and in the midnight hour. Satan 
hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the 
ploughshare ; if we build the wall, he labors to cast down the 
stones ; if we would serve God in suffering or in conflict, every- 
where Satan hinders us. He hinders us when we are first coming 
to Jesus Christ. Fierce conflicts we had with Satan when we 
first looked to the cross and lived. Satan is sure to hinder us when 



302 DiriXEHEALiyG. 

we are earnest in prayer. He checks our importunity, and weakens 
our faith, in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. 
Xor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There 
was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. 
We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof 
that we are on the Lord's side, and are doing the Lord's work, 
and in His strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over 
our adversary. 

Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life 
is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance 
in the same as long as life lasts. Satan will make many a fierce 
attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his 
arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service ; he will insinuate 
that you are doing no good, and that you want rest. He will 
endeavor to make you weary of suffering. He will whisper, 
"Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: 
"What is the good of being so zealous ? Be quiet, like the rest ; 
sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out, as the other virgins 
do." Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you 
hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting 
more liberal ; they are removing the old landmarks ; fall in with the 
times." Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your 
armor, and cry mightily unto God, that by His Spirit you may 
endure to the end. 



JESUS PREACHIXG HIS FIRST SERMON. 
(LUKE ^:1G--21.) 

"And He came to Xazareth, where He had been brought up : 
and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the 
Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 

"And there was delivered unto Him a book of the prophet 
Esaias. And when He had opened the book. He found the place 
where it was written, 

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed 
me to preach the gospel to the poor ; He hath sent me to heal the 
broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recover- 
ing of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

"To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 



311 ND AND FAITH CURE. 303 

"And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, 
and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue 
were fastened on Him. 

"And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture 
fulfilled in your ears." 

This unrivalled tutor used as His class-book the best of books. 
Although able to reveal fresh truth, He preferred to expound 
the old. He knew by His omniscience what was the most in- 
structive way of teaching, and by turning at once to Moses and 
the prophets, He showed us that the surest road to wisdom is not 
speculation, reasoning, or reading human books, but meditation 
upon the Word of God. The readiest way to be spiritually rich in 
heavenly knowledge is to dig in this mine of diamonds, to gather 
pearls from this heavenly sea. When Jesus Himself sought to 
enrich others, He wrought in the quarry of Holy scripture. 

The favored pair were led to consider the best of subjects, for 
Jesus spake of Jesus, and expounded the things concerning Him- 
self. Here the diamond cut the diamond, and what could be more 
admirable? The Master of the House unlocked His own doors, 
conducted the guests to His table, and placed His own dainties 
upon it. He who hid the treasure in the field. Himself guided the 
searchers to it. Our Lord would naturally discourse upon the 
sweetest of topics, and He could find none sweeter than His own 
person and work : with an eye to these we should always search 
the Word. Oh, for grace to study the Bible with Jesus as both 
our teacher and our lesson ! 

The Savior was "a man of sorrows," but every thoughtful mind 
has discovered the fact that down deep in His innermost soul He 
carried an inexhaustible treasury of refined and heavenly joy. Of 
all the human race, there was never a man who had a deeper, 
purer, or more abiding peace than our Lord Jesus Christ. "He 
was anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows." His 
vast benevolence must, from the very nature of things, have af- 
forded Him the deepest possible delight, for benevolence is joy. 

Believer, you can bear your testimony that Christ is the only be- 
gotten of the Father, as well as the first begotten from the dead. 
You can say, ''He is divine to me, if He be human to all the world 
beside. He has done that for me which none but a God could do. 
He has subdued my stubborn will, melted a heart of adamant, 
opened gates of brass, and snapped bars of iron. He hath turned 
for me my mourning into laughter, and my desolation into joy ; 
He hath led my captivity captive, and made my heart rejoice 



304 DIVINE HEALING. 

with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let others think as they 
will of Him, to me He must be the only begotten of the Father : 
blessed be His name. And He is full of grace. Ah ! had He not 
been, I should never have been saved. He drew me when I strug- 
gled to escape from His grace ; and when at last I came all 
trembling like a condemned culprit to His mercy-seat, He said, 
'Thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee : be of good cheer.' 
And He is full of truth. True have His promises been; not one 
has failed. I bear witness that never servant had such a master 
as I have ; never brother such a kinsman as He has been to me : 
never spouse such a husband as Christ has been to my soul ; never 
sinner a better Savior ; never mourner a better comforter than 
Christ hath been to my spirit. I want none beside Him. In life He 
is my life, and in death He shall be the death of death ; in poverty 
Christ is my riches ; in sickness He makes my bed ; in darkness He 
is my star, and in brightness He is my sun ; He is the manna of the 
camp in the wilderness, and He shall be the new corn of the host 
when they come to Canaan. Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, 
all truth and no falsehood : and of truth and grace He is full, in- 
finitely full." 

Believer, do you recollect the day when your fetters fell off '^ 
Do you remember the place when Jesus met you, and said, 'T have 
loved thee with an everlasting love ; I have blotted out as a cloud 
thy transgressions, and as a thick cloud thy sins ; they shall not be 
mentioned against thee any more forever" ? Oh ! what a sweet 
season is that when Jesus takes away the pain of sin ! When the 
Lord first pardoned my sin, I was so joyous that I could scare" 
refrain from dancing. I thought on my road home from the 
house where I had been set at liberty, that I must tell the stones in 
the street the story of my deliverance. So full was my soul of 
joy, that I wanted to tell every snow-flake that was falling from 
heaven, of the wondrous love of Jesus, who had blotted out the sins 
of one of the chief of rebels. But it is not only at the commence- 
ment of the Christian life that believers have reason for song ; as 
long as they live they discover cause to sing in the ways of the 
Lord, and their experience of His constant loving kindness leads 
them to say, 'T will bless the Lord at all times : His praise shall 
continually be in my mouth." See to it, brother, that thou magni- 
fiest the Lord this day. 

"Long as we tread this desert land, 
New mercies shall new songs demand." 



^ 




THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 



M IN D AN D FAITH CURE . 307 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 
(matt. 5:9.) 

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the 
children of God." 

This is the seventh of the beatitudes : and seven was the num- 
ber of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Savior 
placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because He most 
nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would 
have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must 
attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. 

However peaceful we may be in this world, yet we shall be 
misrepresented and misunderstood; and no marvel, for even the 
Prince of Peace by His very peacefulness brought fire upon the 
earth. He himself, though He loved mankind, and did no ill, was 
"despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted 
with grief." Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be 
surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following 
verse, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' 
sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Thus the peacemakers 
are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed 
about with blessings. 

Humiliation of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. 
If we empty our hearts of self, God will fill them with His love. He 
who desires close communion with Christ, should remember the 
word of the Lord, "To this man will I look, even to him that is 
poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." Stoop 
if you would climb to heaven. Do we not say of Jesus, "He 
descended that He might ascend" ? So must you. You must grow 
downwards, that you may grow upwards ; for the sweetest fellow- 
ship with heaven is to be had by humble souls, and by them 
alone. God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. 
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of 
heaven," with all its riches and treasures. The whole exchequer 
of God shall be made over by deed of gift to the soul which is 
humble enough to be able to receive it without growing proud be- 
cause of it. God blesses us all up to the full measure and extremity 
of what is safe for Him to do. If you do not get a blessing, it is 
because it is not safe for you to have one. If our heavenly Father 
were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in His holy war, 
you would pilfer the crown for yourself, and meeting with a fresh 



308 DIYINEHEALING. 

enemy you would fall a victim ; so that you are kept low for 
your own safety. When a man is sincerely humble, and never 
ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is 
scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes 
us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal 
efficiently with our fellow-men. True humility is a flower which will 
adorn any garden. This is a sauce with which you may season 
every dish of life, and you will find an improvement in every case. 
Whether it be prayer or praise, whether it be work or suffering, 
the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess. 



STRAIGHTWAY THEY FORSOOK THEIR NETS AND 
FOLLOWED HIM. 

(mark 1:16-18.) 

''Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and 
Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea : for they were 
fishers. 

''And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make 
you to become fishers of men. 

"And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him.'' 

When they heard the call of Jesus, Simon and Andrew 
obeyed at once without demur. If we would always, punctually 
and with resolute zeal, put in practice what we hear upon the 
spot, or at the first fit occasion, our attendance at the means of 
grace, and our reading of good books, could not fail to enrich us 
spiritually. He will not lose his loaf who has taken care at once 
to eat it ; neither can he be deprived of the benefit of the doctrine 
who has already acted upon it. Most readers and hearers become 
moved so far as to purpose to amend ; but, alas ! the proposal is a 
blossom which has not been knit, and therefore no fruit comes of 
it ; they wait, they waver, and then they forget, till, like the ponds 
in nights of frost, when the sun shines by day, they are only 
thawed in time to be frozen again. That fatal tomorrozv is blood- 
red with the murder of fair resolutions ; it is the slaughter-house 
of the innocents. We are very concerned that our book should 
not be fruitless, and therefore we pray that readers may not be 
readers only, but doers of the word. The practice of truth is the 
most profitable reading of it. Should the reader be impressed with 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 309 

any duty while perusing these pages, let him hasten to fulfill it be- 
fore the holy glow has departed from his soul, and let him leave his 
nets, and all that he has, sooner than be found rebellious to the 
Master's call. Do not give place to the Devil by delay ! Haste 
while opportunity and quickening are in happy conjunction. Do 
not be caught in your own nets, but break the meshes of worldli- 
ness, and away where glory calls you. Happy is the writer who 
shall meet with readers resolved to carry out his teachings : his 
harvest shall be a hundred fold, and his Master shall have 
great honor. Would to God that such might be our reward upon 
these brief meditations and hurried hints. Grant it, O Lord, unto 
Thy servant ! 



THE ORDAINING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. 
(mark 3:13-15.) 

"And He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him 
whom He would : and they came unto Him. 

"And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and 
that He might send them forth to preach, 

"And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." 
(LUKE 9:1-11.) 

"Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them 
power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 

"And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal 
the sick. 

"And He said unto them. Take nothing for yoitj' journey, 
neither staves, nor script, neither bread, neither money ; neither 
have two coats apiece. 

"And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence 
depart. 

"And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that 
city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against 
them. 

"And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching 
the gospel, and healing everywhere." 

"Now Herod, the tetrarch, heard of all that was done by Him : 
and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John 
was risen from the dead ; 



310 DIVINE HEALING. 

"And of some, that Elias had appeared: and of others, that one 
of the old prophets was risen again. 

"And Herod said, John have I beheaded; but who is this of 
whom I hear such things ? And he desired to see Him. 

"And the apostles, when they were returned, told Him all 
that they had done. And He took them, and went aside privately 
into a desert place, belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 

''And the people, when they knew it, followed Him : and He 
received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and 
healed them that had need of healing." 



See, Jesus, Thy disciples see, 
The promised blessing give ! 

Met in Thy name, we look to Thee, 
Expecting to receive. 

Thee we expect, our faithful Lord, 
Who in Thy name are joined ; 

We wait, according to Thy word. 
Thee in the midst to find. 

With us Thou art assembled here, 

But O Thyself reveal ! 
Son of the living God, appear ! 

Let us thy presence feel. 

Breathe on us. Lord, in this our day, 
And these dry bones shall live ; 

Speak peace into our hearts, and say, 
"The Holy Ghost receive." 

Whom now we seek, O may we meet ! 

Jesus, the crucified. 
Show us Thy bleeding hands and feet, 

Thou who for us hast died. 

Cause us the record to receive. 
Speak, and the tokens show ; 

"O be not faithless, but believe 
In J\Ie, who died for vou !"' 








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CHRIST'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. 



MIXD AND FAITH CURE. 313 

CHRIST'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. 
(LUKE 19:35-38.) 

"And they brought him to Jesus : and they cast their garments 
upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 

"And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way. 

"And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the 
mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to 
rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works 
that they had seen ; 

"Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the 
Lord : peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." 



CORONATION. 

All hail the power of Jesus' name ! 

Let angels prostrate fall ; 
Bring forth the royal diadem. 

And crown Him Lord of all. 

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race. 
Ye ransom'd from the fall. 

Hail Him who saves you by His grace, 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget 
The wormwood and the gall. 

Go, spread your trophies at His feet. 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

Let every kindred, every tribe. 

On this terrestrial ball. 
To Him all majesty ascribe, 

And crown Him Lord of all. 

O that with yonder sacred throng 
We at His feet may fall ; 

We'll join the everlasting song. 
And crown Him Lord of all. 



314 BIT IN E HEALING. 

NOT ASHAMED OF JESUS. 
(mark 8:38.)- 

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My 
Avords, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall 
the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His 
Father with the holy angels." 

Jesus, and shall it ever be 
A mortal man ashamed of Thee, 
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise, 
Whose glory shines through endless days. 

Ashamed of Jesus, sooner far 
Let evening blush to own a star. 
He sheds the beams of light divine 
O'er this benighted soul of mine. 

Ashamed of Jesus, just as soon 
Let midnight be ashamed of noon. 
'Tis midnight with my soul till He, 
Bright Morning Star, bid darkness flee. 

Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend 
On whom my hopes of heaven depend ? 
No, when I blush be this my shame, 
That I no more revere His name. 

Ashamed of Jesus ? Yes, I may 
When Eve no guilt to wash away. 
No tear to wipe, no good to crave. 
No fears to quell, no soul to save. 

Till then, nor is my boast in vain, 
'Till then I boast a Savior slain, 
And, oh, may this my glory be. 
That Christ is not ashamed of me. 



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JESUS AND THE WOMANOF SAMARIA. 



MI^'D AND FAITH CURE. 3l7 

JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. . 

(JOHN i:8-2G.) 

Journeying from Judea into Galilee, Jesus passed through 
Samaria, and, being weary, sat down alone at Jacob's well, His 
disciples having gone to the city (Sychar) to buy meat. A wo- 
man came forth from the city to draw water at the well, and Jesus 
said unto her, 

''Give Me to drink. (For His disciples were gone away unto 
the city to buy meat.) 

"Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that 
Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of 
Samaria ? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 

"Jesus answered and said unto her. If thou knewest the gift of 
God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou 
wouldst have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living 
water. 

"The woman saith unto Him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw 
with, and the well is deep : from whence then hast thou that living 
water ? 

"Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the 
well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle ? 

"Jesus answered and said unto her. Whosoever drinketh of this 
water, shall thirst again, 

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, 
shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in 
him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. 

"The woman saith unto Him, Sir, give me this water, that I 
thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 

"Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 

"The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus 
said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband : 

"For thou hast had five husbands ; and he whom thou now hast 
is not thy husband : in that saidst thou truly. 

"The woman saith unto Him, Sir, I perceive that Thou art a 
prophet. 

"Our fathers worshipped in this mountain ; and ve sav, that 
in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometli. 



318 DITiyE HEALING. 

when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, wor- 
ship the Father. 

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers 
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth : for the Father 
seeketh such to worship Him. 

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship 
Him in spirit and in truth. 

"The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, 
which is called Christ : when He is come, He will tell us all things. 

"Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He." 

This incident, so vividly and forcibly rendered by the evangel- 
ist, receives an exquisite setting in the picture before us, well suited 
in its poetic quality to the measured grace and dignity of the text. 
It is high noon, and the whole scene is bathed in meridian splendor. 
Stillness has crept over earth and sky, but the air vibrates with its 
fullness of warmth. A weary figure, with calm, unworldly coun- 
tenance, sits at the well. Leaning upon its curb, a woman who has 
come forth from the city light-hearted enough even to converse 
with a Jew, lingers, arrested, subdued and sobered by the quicken- 
ing force of His speech, for here is a stranger, who not only has 
told her all things she ever did, but has opened before her bright 
vistas of joy and holiness and peace. 

THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS. 

A fountain of life and of grace 

In Christ, our Redeemer, we see : 
For us, who His offers embrace. 

For all, it is open and free : 
Jehovah, Himself, doth invite 

To drink of His pleasures unknown : 
The streams of immortal delight, 

That flow from His heavenly throne. 

As soon as in Him we believe. 

By faith of His Spirit we take : 
And, freely forgiven, receive 

The mercy for Jesus' sake ! 
We gain a pure drop of His love ; 

The life of eternity know ; 
Angelical happiness prove, 

And witness a heaven below. 




A WOMAN ANOINTETH THE FEET OF JESUS. 



MIXD AXD FAITH CURE. 321 

A WOINIAN ANOINTETH THE FEET OF JESUS. 
(LUKE 7:36-48.) 

"And one of the Pharisees desired Him that He would eat with 
him. And He went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to 
meat. 

"And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when 
she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought 
an alabaster-box of ointment, 

"And stood at His feet behind Hiin weeping, and began to 
wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of 
her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed thon with ointment. 

"Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him, saw it, he 
spake within himself, saying, This man, if He were a prophet, 
would have known who, and what manner of woman this is that 
toucheth Him : for she is a sinner. 

"And Jesus answering, said unto him, Simon, I have some- 
what to say unto thee. And he saith. Master, say on. 

"And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest 
thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest Me 
no water for My feet ; but she hath washed My feet with tears, 
and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 

"Thou gavest Me no kiss : but this woman, since the time I 
came in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet. 

"Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint : but this woman 
hath anointed My feet with ointment. 

Wherefore, I say unto thee. Her sins, which are many, are 
forgiven ; for she loved much : but to whom little is forgiven, the 
same loveth little. 

"And He said unto her. Thy sins are forgiven." 



THE BOX OF SPIKENARD. 

She loved her Savior, and to Him 
Her costliest present brought ; 

To crown His head, or grace His name, 
No gift too rare she thought. 



322 DIVINE HEALING. 

So let the Savior be adored, 

And not the poor despised ; 
Give to the hungry from your hoard. 

But all, give all to Christ. 

Go, clothe the naked, lead the blind. 

Give to the weary rest ; 
For sorrow's children comfort find, 

And help for all distressed ; 

But give to Christ alone thy heart, 

Thy faith, thy love supreme ; 
Then for His sake thine alms impart. 

And so give all to Him. 

William Cutter. 



Behold one of the great Physician's mightiest arts : He has 
power to forgive sin ! While here He lived below, before the 
ransom had been paid, before the blood had been literally sprinkled 
on the mercy-seat. He had power to forgive sin. Hath He not 
power to do it now that He hath died ? What power must dwell 
in Him who to the utmost farthing has faithfully discharged the 
debts of His people ! He has boundless power now that He has 
finished transgression and made an end of sin. If ye doubt it, see 
Him rising from the dead ! Behold Him in ascending splendor 
raised to the right hand of God ! Hear Him pleading before the 
eternal Father, pointing to His wounds, urging the merit of His 
sacred passion ! What power to forgive is here ! "He hath 
ascended on high, and received gifts for men." "He is exalted on 
high to give repentance and remission of sins." The most crimson 
sins are removed bv the crimson of His blood. 



Jesus, Master, hear my cry ; 

Save me, heal me with a word ; 
Fainting at Thy feet I lie, 

Thou my whispered plaint hast heard. 



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'SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 325 

SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME. 

(mark 10:13-16.) 

See, Israel's gentle Shepherd stands 

With all-engaging charms ; 
Hark, how He calls the tender lambs, 

And folds them in His arms. 

Permit them to approach, he cries. 

Nor scorn their humble name ; 
For 'twas to bless such souls as these 

The Lord of angels came. 

We bring them. Lord, in thankful hands, 

And yield them up to Thee ; 
Joyful that we ourselves are Thine, 

Thine let our offspring be. 



"And they brought young children to Him, that He should 
touch them ; and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. 

"But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said un- 
to them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them 
not ; for of such is the kingdom of God. 

"Verily I say unto you. Whosoever shall not receive the king- 
dom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 

"And He took them up in His arms, and put His hands upon 
them, and blessed them." 



I think, when I read that sweet story of old. 
When Jesus was here among men, 

How He call'd little children, as lambs to His fold, 
I should like to have been with Him then. 

I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, 
That His arms had been thrown around me, 

That I might have seen His kind look when He said, 
"Let the little ones come unto Me.'' 



326 DIT IX E H EALiy G. 

Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go, 
And ask for a share in His love ; 

And if I thus earnestly seek Him below, 
I shall see Him and hear Him above. 

In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare 

For all who are wash'd and forgiven ; 
And many dear children are gathering there, 

"For of such is the kingdom of heaven." 



CHRIST TEACHETH XICODEMUS THE NECESSITY OF 
REDEMPTIOX. 

(jOHX 3:3-6.) 

"Jesus answered and said imto him. \^erily, verily, I say unto 
thee, Except a man be born as^ain. he cannot see the kingdom of 
God. 

"Xicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he 
is old ? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and 
be born? 

'■ Jesus answered. \>rily, verily, I say imto thee. Except a man 
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the king- 
dom of God. 

■"That which is born of the flesh is flesh : and that which is born 
of the Spirit is spirit." 

Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salva- 
tion, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are 
"born again," for there are many who fancy they are, who are 
not. Be assured that the name of a Christian is not the nature of 
a Christian : and that being born in a Christian land, and being 
recognized as professing the Christian religion, is of no avail what- 
ever, unless there be something more added to it — the being "born 
again'' by the power of the Holy Spirit. To be "born again'' is a 
matter so mysterious, that himian words cannot describe it. "The 
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, 
but canst not tell whence it cometh. and whither it goeth : so is 
every one that is born of the Spirit." X'evertheless. it is a change 
which is knoii'ii and felt: known by the works of holiness, and felt 
by a gracious experience. This great work is supernatural. It is 
not an operation which a man performs for himself : a new 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE. 327 

principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, 
and affects the entire man. It is not a change of my name, but a 
renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a 
new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far 
different thing from making it alive : a man can do the one, God 
alone can do the other. If you have, then, been "born again," your 
acknowledgement will be, "O Lord Jesus, the everlasting Father, 
Thou art my spiritual Parent ; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into 
me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this 
day 'dead in trespasses and sins.' My heavenly life is wholly de- 
rived from Thee, to Thee I ascribe it. 'My life is hid with Christ 
in God.' It is no longer I who live, but Christ who liveth in me." 
May the Lord enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for 
to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, 
and without hope. 



A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOK- 
ING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUENCH. 

(matt. 12:20.) 

What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? 
A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck 
light upon it, and it snaps ; let but the foot of man brush against 
it, and it is bruised and broken ; every wind that flits across the 
river moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more 
frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than <. 
bruised reed. Then look at the smoking flax — what is it ? It has 
a spark within it, it is true, but it is almost smothered ; an infant's 
breath might blow it out ; nothing has a more precarious exist- 
ence than its flame. Weak things are here described, yet Jesus 
says of them, "The srnoking flax I will not quench ; the bruised 
reed I will not break." Some of God's children are made strong 
to do mighty works for Him ; God has Llis Samsons here and 
there, who can pull up Gaza's gates, and carry them to the top of 
the hill; He has a few mighties who are lion-like men, but the 
majority of His people are a timid, trembling race. They are 
like starlings, frightened at every passer-by ; a little fearful flock. 
If temptation comes, they are taken like birds in a snare; if 
trial threatens, they are ready to faint ; their frail skifl: is tossed 



328 DIViyE HEALING. 

up and down by every wave, they are drifted along like a sea- 
bird on the crest of the billows — weak things, without strength, 
without wisdom, without foresight. Yet, weak as they are, and 
because they are so weak, they have this promise made specially 
to them. Herein is grace and graciousness ! Herein is love and 
loving kindness ! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus — 
so gentle, tender, considerate ! We need never shrink back from 
His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him ; though 
He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. 
Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking 
flax no damping frowns. 




JESUS STILLING THE TEMPEST. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 331 

JESUS STILLING THE TEMPEST. 
(matt. 4:39-40.) 

"And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, 
Peace, be still, and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 

"And He said unto them. Why are ye so fearful ? how is it that 
ye have no faith ?" 

Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and 
His presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with 
Jesus, even though it be in a little ship. When we sail in Christ's 
company, we may not make sure of fair weather, for great storms 
may toss the vessel which carries the Lord Himself, and we must 
not expect to find the sea less boisterous around our little boat. 
If we go with Jesus we must be content to fare as He fares ; and 
when the waves are rough to Him, they will be rough to us. It is 
by tempest and tossing that we shall come to land, as He did be- 
fore us. 

When the storm swept over Galilee's dark lake, all faces 
gathered blackness, and all hearts dreaded shipwreck. When all 
creature-help was useless, the slumbering Savior arose, and with 
a word transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of 
a calm ; then were the little vessels at rest, as well as that which 
carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea ; and though there 
be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy, too. May 
our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, 
their lifeboat, and their harbor. His Church is the Admiral's 
flagship ; let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with 
our presence. He Himself is the great attraction; let us follow 
ever in His wake, mark His signals, steer by His chart, and never 
fear while He is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall 
suffer wreck ; the great Commodore will steer every bark in safety 
to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another 
day's cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. 
Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey Him ; and, 
therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a 
blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather- 
beaten company ; let us rejoice in Him. His vessel has reached the 
haven, and so shall ours. 



332 DIT I X E H EALl X G . 

The Lord Himself will keep 

His people safe from harm ; 
Will hold the helm and guide the ship 

With His almighty arm. 

Then let the tempest roar. 

The billows heave and swell. 
\Nt trust to reach the peaceful shore, 

Where all the ransomed dwell. 

Little know we what sorrow may be upon the sea at this 
moment. We are safe in our quiet chamber, but far away on 
the salt sea the hurricane may be cruelly seeking for the lives of 
men. Hear how the death fiends howl among the cordage ; how 
every timber starts as the waves beat like battering-rams upon 
the vessel ! God help you, poor, drenched, and wearied ones ! My 
prayer goes up to the great Lord of sea and land, that He will 
make the storm a calm, and bring you to your desired haven ! Nor 
ought I to offer prayer alone ; I should try to benefit those hardy 
men who risk their lives so constantly. Have I ever done anything 
for them? What can I do? LIow often does the boisterous sea 
swallow up the mariner ! Thousands of corpses lie where pearJs 
lie deep. There is death-sorrow on the sea, which is echoed in the 
long wail of widows and orphans. The salt of the sea is in many 
eyes of mothers and wives. Remorseless billows, ye have devoured 
the love of women and the stay of households. What a resurrec- 
tion shall there be from the caverns of the deep when the sea gives 
up her dead ! Till then there will be sorrow on the sea. As if in 
sympathy with the woes of earth, the sea is forever fretting along 
a thousand shores, wailing with a sorrowful cry like her own birds, 
booming with a hollow crash of unrest, raving with uproarious dis- 
content, chafing with hoarse wrath, or jangling with the voices of 
ten thousand murmuring pebbles. The roar of the sea may be 
joyous to a rejoicing spirit, but to the son of sorrow the wide, wide 
ocean is even more forlorn than the wide, wide world. This is 
not our rest, and the restless billows tell us so. There is a 
land where there is no more sea — our faces are steadfastly set 
towards it ; we are going to the place of which the Lord hath 
spoken. Till then, we cast our sorrows on the Lord, who trod 
the sea of old, and who maketh a way for His people through 
the depths thereof. 




SAINT PETER WALKS ON THE SEA. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 335 

SAINT PETER WALKS ON THE SEA. 

(matt. 14:28-31.) 

"And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid 
me come unto Thee on the water. 

"And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out 
of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 

"But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and, 
beginning to sink, he cried, saying. Lord, save me. 

"And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught 
him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou 
doubt ?" 

Sinking times are praying times with the Lord's servants. 
Peter neglected prayer at starting upon his venturous journey, but 
when he began to sink his danger made him a suppliant, and his 
cry, though late, was not too late. In our hours of bodily pain 
and mental anguish, we find ourselves as naturally driven to 
prayer as the wreck is driven upon the shore by the waves. The 
fox hies to its hole for protection ; the bird flies to the wood for 
shelter ; and even so the tried believer hastens to the mercy-seat 
for safety. Heaven's great harbor of refuge is All-prayer ; thou- 
sands of weather-beaten vessels have found a haven there, and 
the moment a storm comes on, it is wise for us to make for it 
with all sail. 

The billows swell, the winds are high, 
Clouds overcast my wintry sky ; 
Out of the depths to Thee I call ; 
My fears are great, my strength is small. 

O Lord, the pilot's part perform, 
And guide and guard me through the storm ; 
Defend me from each threatening ill ; 
Control the waves; say, "Peace! be still." 

Amidst the roaring of the sea, 
My soul still hangs her hopes on Thee ; 
Thy constant love, Thy faithful care. 
Is all that saves me from despair. 



336 DiriXE EEALISG. 

Though tempest-tossed, and half a wreck, 
My Savior through the floods I seek : 

Let neither winds nor stormy main 
Force back my shattered bark again. 

Behokl the superlati^-e hberahty of the Lord Jesus, for 
He liath given us His ah. He hath emptied all His estate 
into the coflrers of the church, and hath all things 
common with His redeemed. There is not one room in His 
house the key of which He will withhold from His people. He 
gives them full liberty to take all that He hath to be their own; 
He loves them to make free with His treasure, and appropriate 
as much as they can possibly carry. The boundless fulness of 
His all-sufflciency is as free to the believer as the air he breathes. 
Christ hath put the flagon of His love and grace to the believer's 
lips, and bidden him drink on forever; for could he drain it, he 
is welcome to do so. and as he cannot exhaust it. he is bidden tc- 
drink abundantly, for it is all his own. AA^hat truer proof of 
fellowship can heaven or earth afl:'ord? 

AMien I stand before the throne. 
Dressed in beauty not my own ; 
AA'hen I see Thee as Thou art. 
Love Thee with unsinning heart; 
Then. Lord, shall I fully know — 
Xot till then — how much I owe. 




•I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.' 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 339 

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 
(JOHN 10:11.) 

'T am the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth His life for 
the sheep." 

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow 
Me." Christ appears as a shepherd to His own sheep, not to 
others. As soon as He appears. His own sheep perceive Him — 
they trust Him, they are prepared to follow Him ; He knows them, 
and they know Him — there is a mutual knowledge — there is a 
constant connection between them. Thus the one mark, the sure 
mark, the infallible mark of regeneration and adoption is a hearty 
faith in the appointed Redeemer. Reader, are you in doubt, are 
you uncertain whether you bear the secret mark of God's children ? 
Then let not an hour pass over your head till you . have said, 
"Search me, O God, and know my heart." Trifle not here, I 
adjure you ! If you must trifle anywhere, let it be about some 
secondary matter ; your health, if you will, or the title deeds of 
your estate ; but about your soul, your never-dying soul, and its 
eternal destinies, I beseech you be in earnest. Make sure work for 
eternity. 

"I give unto My sheep eternal life ; and they shall never perish, 
neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father 
which gave them Me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck 
them out of My Father's hand." Where were the doctrines of 
grace? They would be all disproved if one child of God should 
perish. Where were the veracity of God, His honor. His power. 
His grace. His covenant. His oath, if any of those for whom Christ 
has died, and who have put their trust in Him, should nevertheless 
be cast away ? Banish those unbelieving fears which so dishonor 
God. Arise, shake thyself from the dust, and put on thy beautiful 
garments. Remember it is sinful to doubt His Word wherein 
He has promised thee that thou shalt never perish. Let the eternal 
life within thee express itself in confident rejoicing. 

The gospel bears my spirit up : 

A faithful and unchanging God 
Lays the foundation for my hope 

In oaths, and promises, and blood. 



340 DiriXE H EALiy G. 

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow 
their shepherd, for He lias a right to lead us zvherez'er He pleases. 
We are not our own. AA'e are bought with a price — let us recog- 
nize the rights of the redeeming blood. The soldier follows his 
captain, the servant obeys his master ; much more must we follow 
our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are 
not true to our profession of being Christians if we question the 
bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty, 
cavilling is our folly. Often might our Lord say to us as to 
Peter, "What is that to thee? follow thou Me." Wherever Jesus 
may lead us, He goes before its. If we know not where w^e go, 
we know zvith whom we go. AA'ith such a companion, who will 
dread the perils of the road? The journey may be long, but His 
everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus 
is the assurance of eternal salvation ; because He lives, we shall 
live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, be- 
cause the paths in ivhieli He leads us all end in glory and im- 
mortality. It is true that they may not be smooth paths — they may 
be covered with sharp, flinty trials ; but they lead to the ''city 
which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." "All 
the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His 
covenant." Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know 
that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity 
or contempt, Llis purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose 
shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. 




IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, 
I WILL COME IN TO HIM." 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 343 

IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR, 
I WILL COME IN TO HIM. 

(rev. 3:20, 21.) 

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock : if any man hear My 
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with 
him, and he with Me. 

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My 
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My 
Father in His throne." 

Dear reader, what is your desire this evening? Is it set upon 
heavenly things? Do you long to enjoy the high doctrine of 
eternal love ? Do you desire liberty in very close communion with 
God ? Do you aspire to know the heights, and depths, and lengths, 
and breadths ? Then you must draw near to Jesus ; you must get 
clear sight of Him and His preciousness and completeness ; you 
must view Him in His work, in His offices, in His person. He 
who understands Christ, receives an anointing from the Holy One, 
by which He knows all things. Christ is the great master-key 
of all the chambers of God ; there is no treasure-house of God 
which will not open and yield up all its wealth to the soul that 
lives near to Jesus. Are you saying, "O that He would dwell in 
my bosom" ? "Would that He would make my heart His dwell- 
ing-place forever" ? Open the door, beloved, and He will come 
into your souls. He has long been knocking, and all with this ob- 
ject, that He may sup with you, and you with Him. He sups ivith 
you because you find the house or the heart, and yo\t with Him 
because He brings the provision. He could not sup with you if it 
were not in your heart, you finding the house ; nor could you sup 
with Him, for you have a bare cupboard, if He did not bring the 
provision with Him. Fling wide, then, the portals of your soul. 
He will come with that love which you long to feel ; He will come 
with that joy into which you cannot work your poor depressed 
spirit ; He will bring the peace which now you have not ; He will 
come with His flagons of wine and sweet apples of love, and 
cheer you till you have no other sickness but that of "love o'er- 
powering, love divine." Only open the door to Him, drive out His 
enemies, give Him the keys of your heart, and He will dwell 
there forever. Oh, wondrous love, that brings such a guest to 
dwell in such a heart ! 



344 D IT IX E H E ALIX G. 

THOU SHALT LOA^E THY NEIGHBOR. 

(MATT. 5 :43-45.) 

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shah love thy 
neighbor, and hate thine enemy : 

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse 
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which 
despitefully use you, and persecute you ; 

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in 
heaven." 

Take heed that thou love thy neighbor even though he be in 
rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty. But, perhaps, you say, 
'T cannot love my neighbors, because for all I do they return in- 
gratitude and contempt." So much the more room for the heroism 
of love. Wouldst thou be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bear- 
ing the rough fight of love ? He who dares the most, shall win the 
most ; and if rough be thy path of love, tread it boldly, still loving 
thy neighbors through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their 
heads; and if they be hard to please, seek not to please them, but 
to please thy Master: and remember, if they spurn thy love, thy 
Master hath not spurned it, and thy deed is as acceptable to Him as 
if it had been acceptable to them. Love thy neighbor, for in so 
doing thou art following in the footsteps of Christ. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES. 
(JOHN 5:39.) 

"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal 
life : and they are they Avhich testify of Me."' 

The Greek word here rendered search signifies a strict, close, 
diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking 
gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must 
not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chap- 
ter or two, but with the candle of the Spirit we must deliberately 
seek out the hidden meaning of the Word. Holy Scripture 
requires searching — much of it can only be learned by careful 
study. There is milk for babes, but also meat for strong men. The 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE, 345 

rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every 
word, yea, upon every tittle of Scripture. Tertullian exclaims, "I 
adore the fulness of the Scriptures." No man who merely skims 
the Book of God can profit thereby ; we must dig and mine until we 
obtain the hid treasure. The door of the Word only opens to the 
key of diligence. The Scriptures claim searching. They 
are the writings of God, bearing the divine stamp and imprimatur 
— who shall dare to treat them with levity ? He who despises them 
despises the God who wrote them. God forbid that any of us 
should leave our Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the 
great day of account. The Word of God will repay searching. 
God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a 
grain of wheat in it, but the Bible is winnowed corn — we have but 
to open the granary door and find it. Scripture grows upon the 
student. It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy 
Spirit, to the searching eye it glows with splendor of revelation, 
like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed witli 
rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. No merchandise like 
the merchandise of Scripture truth. Lastly, the Scriptures reveal 
Jesus : ''They are they which testify of Me." 

As all the rivers run into the sea, so all delights center in our 
Beloved. The glances of His eyes outshine the sun : the beauties 
of His face are fairer than the choicest flowers : no fragrance is 
like the breath of His mouth. Gems of the mine, and pearls from 
the sea, are worthless things when measured by His preciousness. 
Peter tells us that Jesus is precious, but he did not and could 
not tell us how precious, nor could any of us compute the value 
of God's unspeakable gift. 

What a howling wilderness is this world without our Lord ! 
If once He hideth Himself from us, withered are the flowers of 
our garden ; our pleasant fruits decay ; the birds suspend their 
songs, and a tempest overturns our hopes. All earth's candles 
cannot make daylight if the Sun of Righteousness be eclipsed. 
He is the soul of our soul, the light of our light, the life of our 
life. 

O for a heart to praise my God, 

A heart from sin set free, 
A heart that always feels Thy blood 
So freely spilt for me ! 

A heart resigned, submissive, meek, 

My dear Reedeemer's throne. 
Where only Christ is heard to speak, 

Where Jesus reigns alone. 




YE BLESI^D OF MY FATHER 



'COME UNTO ME. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 349 

COME UNTO ME. 

(MATTHEW 11 :28.) 

The cry of the Christian rehgion is the gentle word, "Come." 
The Jewish law harshly said, ''Go, take heed unto thy steps as to 
the path in which thou shalt walk. Break the commandments, 
and thou shalt perish ; keep them, and thou shalt live." The law 
was a dispensation of terror, which drove men before it as with 
a scourge ; the gospel draws with bands of love. Jesus is the 
good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, 
and ever leading them onward with the sweet word, ''Come." The 
law repels ; the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which 
there is between God and man ; the gospel bridges that awful 
chasm, and brings the sinner across it. 

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are 
ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come, 
come unto Me." As a mother puts out her finger to her little 
child, and woos it to walk by saying, "Come," even so does 
Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him 
as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you 
to pave your way, and clear your path, and you shall hear His 
animating voice calling you after Him all through life; while in 
the solemn hour of death. His sweet words with which He shall 
usher you into the heavenly world shall be — "Come, ye blessed of 
my Father." 

Nay, further, this is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you 
be a believer, this is your cry to Christ — " Come ! come !" You 
will be longing for His second advent ; you will be saying, "Come 
quickly; even so, come Lord Jesus." You will be panting for 
nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice to you is, 
"Come," your response to Him will be, "Come, Lord, and abide 
with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart ; reign 
there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Thy service." 

Just as I am, without one plea 
But that Thy blood was shed for me. 
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, 
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 



350 DiriJE HEALING. 

Just as I am, and waiting not, 
To rid my soul of one dark blot, 
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, 
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 



JESUS SAID, "REMEMBER ME." 

Jesus says to us, "Remember Me;" and our response is, "We 
w^ll remember Thy love." We zuill remember Thy love and its 
matchless history. It is ancient as the glory which Thou hadst 
with the Father before the world was. W^e remember, O Jesus, 
Thine eternal love when Thou didst become our Surety, and es- 
pouse us as Thy betrothed. We remember the love which sug- 
gested the sacrifice of Thyself, the love which, until the fullness 
of time, mused over that sacrifice, and longed for the hour wherof 
in the volume of the book it was written of Thee, "Lo, I come." 
We remember Thy love, O Jesus ! as it was manifest to us in Thy 
holy life, from the manger of Bethlehem to the garden of Gethse- 
mane. We track Thee from the cradle to the grave — for every 
word and deed of Thine was love, — and we rejoice in Thy love, 
which death did not exhaust ; Thy love which shone resplendent 
in Thy resurrection. We remember that burning fire of love 
which will never let Thee hold Thy peace until Thy chosen ones 
be all safely housed, until Zion be glorified, and Jerusalem settled 
on her everlasting foundations of light and love in heaven. 



GRATEFUL RE:\IE^IBRAXCE. 

According to Thy gracious word. 

In meek humility. 
This will I do, my dying Lord — 

I will remember Thee. 

Thy body, broken for my sake, 

]\Iy bread from heaven shall be : 

Thy testamental cup I take. 
And thus remember Thee. 



MI^^D AND FAITH CURE. 351 

Gethsemane can I forget? 

Or there Thy conflict see, 
Thine agony and bloody sweat, 

And not remember thee? 

When to the cross I turn mine eyes. 

And rest on Calvary, 
O Lamb of God, my Sacrifice, 

I must remember Thee ! 

Remember Thee and all Thy pains. 

And all Thy love to me ; 
Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains. 

Will I remember Thee. 

And when these failing lips grow dumb. 

And mind and mem'ry flee, 
When Thou shalt in Thy kingdom come, 

Jesus, remember me. 

It seems, then, that Christians may forget Christ. There could 
be no need for this loving exhortation, if there were not a fearful 
supposition that our memories might prove treacherous. Nor 
is this a bare supposition ; it is, alas ! too well confirmed in our 
experience, not as a possibility, but as a lamentable fact. It ap- 
pears almost impossible that those who have been redeemed by 
the blood of the dying Lamb, and loved with an everlasting love 
by the eternal Son of God, should forget that gracious Savior; 
but, if startling to the ear, it is, alas ! too apparent to the eye to 
allow us to deny the crime. Forget Him who never forgot us ! 
Forget Him who poured His blood forth for our sins ! Forget 
Him who loved us ven to the death ! Can it be possible ? Yes, 
it is not only possible, but conscience confesses that it is too 
sadly a fault with all of us, that we suffer Him to be as a wayfaring 
man tarrying but for a night. He whom we should make the 
abiding tenant of our memories is but a visitor therein. The 
cross where one would think that memory would linger, and 
unmindfulness would be an unknown intruder, is desecrated by 
the feet of forgetfulness. Does not your conscience say that this 
is true? Do you not find yourselves forgetful of Jesus? Some 
creature steals away your heart, and you are unmindful of Him 



352 D IT IX E E E ALIX G. 

Upon whom your affection ought to be set. Some earthly business 
engrosses your attention when you should fix your eye steadily 
upon the cross. It is the incessant turmoil of the world, the 
constant attraction of earthly things, which takes away the soul 
from Christ. While memory too well preserves a poisonous weed, 
it suffereth the rose of Sharon to wither. Let us charge ourselves 
to bind a heavenly forget-me-not about our hearts for Jesus 
our Beloved, and whatever else Ave let slip, let us hold fast to Him. 



re:member me. 

O Thou from whom all goodness flows, 

I lift my soul to Thee ; 
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes, 

O Lord, remember me. 

If for thy sake, upon my name 
Reproach and shame shall be, 

I'll hail reproach and welcome shame; 
O Lord, remember me. 

When worn w4th pain, disease and grief, 

This feeble body see ; 
Grant patience, rest and kind relief ; 

Lord, remember me. 

When, in the solemn hour of death, 

1 wait Thy just decree, 

Be this the prayer of my last breath, — 
O Lord, remember me. 

And when before Thy throne I stand, 

And lift my soul to Thee, 
Then, with the saints at Thy right hand, 

O Lord, remember me. 




'THE TREES OF THE LORD ARE FULL OF SAP. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 355 

THE TREES OF THE LORD ARE FULL OF SAP. 
(psalm 104:16.) 

Without sap the tree cannot flourish, or even exist. Vitality 
is essential to a Christian. There must be life — a vital principle 
infused into us by God the Holy Ghost — or we cannot be trees of 
the Lord. The mere name of being a Christian is but a dead 
thing ; we must be filled with the spirit of divine life. This life is 
mysterious. We do not understand the circulation of the sap — by 
what force it rises, and by what power it descends again. So the 
life within us is a sacred mystery. Regeneration is wrought by 
the Holy Ghost entering into man and becoming man's life ; and 
this divine life in a believer afterwards feeds upon the flesh and 
blood of Christ, and is thus sustained by divine food ; but whence 
it Cometh and whither it goeth, who shall explain to us? What 
a secret thing the sap is ! The roots go searching through the 
soil with their little spongioles, but we cannot see them suck 
out the various gases, or transmute the mineral into the vegetable : 
this work is done down in the dark. Our root is Christ Jesus, 
and our life is hid in Him : this is the secret of the Lord. The 
radix of the Christian life is as secret as the life itself. How 
permanently active is the sap in the cedar ! In the Christian, the 
divine life is always full of energy — not always in fruit-bearing 
but in inward operations. The believer's graces are not every 
one of them in constant motion, but his life never ceases to pal- 
pitate within. He is not always working for God, but his heart 
is always living upon Him. As the sap manifests itself in pro- 
ducing the foliage and fruit of the tree, so with a truly healthy 
Christian ; his grace is externally manifested in his walk and con- 
versation. If you talk with him, he cannot help speaking about 
Jesus. If you notice his actions, you will see that he has been with 
Jesus. He has so much sap within, that it must fill his conduct 
and conversation with life. 

How did you begin to bear fruit. It was when you came to 
Jesus and cast yourself on His great atonement, and rested on 
His finished righteousness. Ah, what fruit you had then ! Do you 
remember those early days ? Then, indeed the vine flourished, the 
tender grapes appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the 
beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since 



356 DIVINE HEALING. 

then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of 
love, and repent, and do thy first works. Be most in those en- 
gagements which you have experimentally proved to draw yon 
nearest to Christ, because it is from Him that all your fruits pro- 
ceed. Any holy exercise which will bring you to Him will help 
you to bear fruit. The sun is, no doubt, a great worker in fruit- 
creating among the trees of the orchard ; and Jesus is still more so 
among the trees of His garden of grace. When have you been 
the most fruitless ? Has not it been when you have lived farthest 
from the Lord Jesus Christ, when you have slackened in prayer, 
when you have departed from the simplicity of your faith, when 
your graces have engrossed your attention instead of your Lord, 
when you have said, "My mountain standeth firm ; I shall never 
be moved ;" and have forgotten where your strength dwells — has 
it not been then that your fruit has ceased? Some of us have 
been taught that we have nothing out of Christ, by terrible abase- 
ments of heart before the Lord ; and when we have seen the 
utter barrenness and death of all creature power, we have cried in 
anguish, "From Him all my fruit must be found, for no fruit 
can ever come from me." We are taught, by past experience, 
that the more simply we depend upon the grace of God in Christ, 
and wait upon the Holy Spirit, the more we shall bring forth 
fruit unto God. Oh, to trust Jesus for fruit as well as for life ! 



GOD IS MY BANKER. 

I had rather have God for my banker than all the Rocke- 
fellers, Carnegies and Morgans. My Lord never fails to honor 
His promises ; and when we bring them to His throne. He never 
sends them back unanswered. Therefore I will wait only at 
His door, for He ever opens it with the hand of munificent grace. 
At this hour I will try Him anew. But we have "expectations'' 
beyond this life. We shall die soon; and then our "expectation 
is from Him." Do we not expect that when we lie upon the bed of 
sickness He will send angels to carry us to His bosom? We be- 
lieve that when the pulse is faint, and the heart heaves heavily, 
some angelic messenger shall stand and look with loving eyes 
upon us and whisper, "Sister spirit, come away !" As we approach 
the heavenly gate, we expect to hear the welcome invitation, 
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 



3IIND AND FAITH CURE. 357 

for you from the foundation of the world." We are expecting 
harps of gold and crowns of glory; we are hoping soon to be 
amongst the multitude of shining ones before the throne; we are 
looking forward and longing for the time when we shall be like 
our glorious Lord — for "we shall see Him as He is." 

If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at 
the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for 
our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It 
is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet 
to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints of light, though 
he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification 
is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected 
till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil ; but never- 
theless, had the Lord so willed it. He might have changed us 
from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven 
at once. Why then are we here ? Would God keep His children 
out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? 
Why is the army of the living God still on the battlefield, when 
one charge might give them the victory? Why are His children 
still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary 
word from His lips would bring them into the center of their 
hopes in heaven? The answer is — they are here that they may 
'Hive unto the Lord/' and may bring others to know His love. 
We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed ; as plough- 
men to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salva- 
tion. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to 
the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We 
are here as workers for Him, and as "workers together with 
Him." Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live 
earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of His 
grace." Meanwhile we long to be with Him, and daily sing — 

My heart is with Him on His throne, 

And ill can brook delay; 
Each moment listening for the voice, 

"Rise up and come away." 



358 DiriyEHEALING. 

JESUS GOES UP TO JERUSALEM. 
(JOHN 2:12, 13.) 

''After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, 
and His brethren, and His disciples ; and they continued there not 
many days. 

"And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to 
Jerusalem." 

Jesus, the Redeemer, is altogether ours, and ours forever. All 
the offices of Christ are held on our behalf. He is king for us, 
priest for us, and prophet for us. He bequeathed us His manger, 
from which to learn how God came down to man ; and His cross to 
teach us how man may go up to God. All His thoughts, emotions, 
actions, utterances, miracles, and intercessions, were for us. He 
trod the road of sorrow on our behalf, and hath made over to us 
as His heavenly legacv the full results of all the labors of His 
life. 

God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste 
paper ; He intended that they should be used. God's gold is not 
miser's money, but is minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases 
our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation ; He 
loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, 'Tord, 
do as Thou hast said." We glorify God when we plead His 
promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving 
you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be 
any the less holy for giving holiness to you ? Do you imagine He 
will be any the less pure for washing you from your sins ? He 
has said, "Come, now, and let us reason together, said the Lord : 
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be "as white as snow : 
though they be red like crimson, they shall ze as wool." Faith lays 
hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not delay, saying, 
"This is a precious promise; I wonder if it be true?" but it goes 
straight to the throne with it. and pleads, "Lord, here is the 
promise. 'Do as Thou hast said.' " Our Lord replies, "Be it unto 
thee even as thou wilt." AA^hen a Christian grasps a promise, 
if he do not take it to God, he dishonors Him ; but when he hastens 
to the throne of grace, and cries, ''Lord, I have nothing to recom- 
mend me but this, 'Thou hast said it,' " then his desire shall be 
granted. Our heavenly Banker delights to cash His own notes. 
Never let thep romise rust. Draw the word of promise out of 
its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. 



M IX D A\ D FAITH CURE, 361 

I AM THE VINE; YE ARE THE BRANCHES. 
(JOHN 15:1, 2, 5, 6, 7.) 

'T am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, He taketh away ; 
and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may 
bring forth more fruit. 

'T am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, 
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit ; for without Me 
ye can do nothing. 

''If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is 
withered ; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and 
they are burned. 

"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask 
what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." 

Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnip- 
otent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and 
glorious attributes are altogether yours? Has He power? That 
power is yours to support and strengthen you, to overcome your 
enemies, and to preserve you even to the end. Has He love? 
Well, there is not a drop of love in His heart which is not yours. 
You may dive into the immense ocean of His love, and you may 
say of it all, "It is mine." Hath He justice? It may seem a 
stern attribute, but even that is yours; for He will, by His justice, 
see to it, that all which is promised to you in the covenant of 
grace, shall be most certainly secured to you. And all that He 
has as perfect man is yours. As a perfect man the Father's de- 
light was upon Him. He stood accepted by the Most High. 
O believer, God's acceptance of Christ is thine acceptance; for 
knowest thou not that the love which the Father set on a perfect 
Christ, He sets on thee now? For all that Christ did is thine. 
That perfect righteousness which Jesus wrought out, when through 
His stainless life He kept the law and made it honorable, is thine, 
and is imputed to thee. Christ is in the covenant. 

My God, I am thine — what a comfort divine ! 
What a blessing to know that the Savior is mine ! 
In the heavenly Lamb thrice happy I am, 
And my heart it doth dance at the sound of His name. 



362 DIVINE HEALING. 

AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME. 
(JOHN 1 :7-8, 15.) 

"The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the hght, 
that all men through Him might believe. 

''He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that 
Light. 

''John bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was he 
of whom I spake. He that cometh after me is preferred before 
me; for he was before me." 

In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness 
for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing; by 
the well of Samaria, or in the Temple of Jerusalem ; by the lake 
of Gennesaret, or on the mountain's brow. He is witnessing 
night and day; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His, 
daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances ; scribes 
and Pharisees cannot shut his mouth ; even before Pilate He wit- 
nesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly and distinctly 
that there is no mistake in Him. Christian, make your life a 
clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every 
stone at the bottom — not as the muddy creek, of which you only 
see the surface — but clear and transparent, so that your heart's 
love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, 
"I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. 
So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. 
Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips 
have been warmed with a coal from off the altar ; let them speak 
as heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow 
thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch 
not the clouds, consult not the wind — in season and out of season 
witness for the Savior, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's 
sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, 
shrink not, but rejoice in the honor thus conferred upon you, 
that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy 
also in this — that your sufferings, your losses and persecutions, 
shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and 
with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus. Study 
your great Exemplar, and be filled with His spirit. Remember 
that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and 
much humility if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory. 






yi./^M 



-"afe^ 




"LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP, AND LET DOWN^ijVOUR 
NETS FOR A DRAUGHT." 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 365 

LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP, AND LET DOWN 
YOUR NETS FOR A DRAUGHT. 

(LUKE 5:1-7.) 

"And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to 
hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret. 

"And saw two ships standing by the lake; but the fishermen 
were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 

"And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and 
prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And 
He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 

"Now when He had left speaking. He said unto Simon, Launch 
out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled 
all the night, and have taken nothing : nevertheless, at Thy word 
I will let down the net. 

"And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude 
of fishes : and their net brake. 

"And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the 
other ship, that they should come and help them. And they 
came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink." 

We learn from this narrative the necessity of human agency. 
The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman, 
nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle, were ignored, but all were used 
to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by 
means ; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God 
will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that 
believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless He 
is glorified ; but He hath Himself selected the plan of instru- 
mentality as being that by which He is most magnified in the 
earth. Means of themselves are utterly unavailing. "Master, we 
have toiled all the night and have taken nothing." What was the 
reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special 
calling ? Verily, they were no raw hands ; they understood the 
work. Had they gone about the toil unskilfully ? No. Had they 
lacked industry ? No ; they had toiled. Had they lacked persever- 
ance? No; they had toiled all the night. \\"as there a deficiency 
of fish in the sea ? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, 
they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason ? Is it 



366 D IT ly E E E ALiy G . 

because there is no power in the means themselves apart from the 
presence of Jesus? "AMthout Him we can do nothing." But 
with Christ we can do all things. Christ's presence confers suc- 
cess. Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and His will, by a mysterious in- 
fluence, drew the fish to the net. AMien Jesus is lifted up in His 
church. His presence is the church's power — the shout of a king is 
in the midst of her. "I. if I be lifted up. will draw all men unto ]\Ie." 
Let us go out this morning on our work of soul-fishing, looking up 
in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night 
comes, and we shall not labor in vain, for He who bids us let down 
the net, will fill it with fishes. 



v^S^^^^ 



^v* 



**-<*'^^' 




'A CERTAIN BEGGAR NAMED LAZARUS, WHICH WAS LAID 
AT HIS GATE, FULL OF SORES." 



M IN D AND FAITH CURE. 369 

THE RICH MAN IN HELL. 
(LUKE 10:19-31.) 

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple 
and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day : 

"And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was 
laid at his gate, full of sores, 

"And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the 
rich man's table : moroever, the dogs came and licked his sores. 

"And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by 
the angels into Abraham's bosom : the rich man also died, 

"And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth 
Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

"And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, 
and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, 
and cool my tongue ; for I am tormented in this flame. 

"But Abraham said. Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime 
receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things ; but 
now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 

"And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf 
fixed : so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ; 
neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 

"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst 
send him to my father's house : 

"For I have five brethren ; that he may testify unto them, lest 
they also come into this place of torment. 

"Abraham saith unto him. They have Moses and the prophets ; 
let them hear them. 

"And he said, Nay, father Abraham : but if one went unto them 
from the dead, they will repent. 

And he said unto him. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, 
neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." 

It is written, "In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment."' 
Ah ! why did he not lift up his eyes before ? Because he was so 
accustomed to hear the gospel that his soul slept under it. Alas ! 
if you should lift up your eyes there, how bitter would be vour 
wailings ! Let the Savior's own words reveal the woe: "Father 
Abraham, send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in 
water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame." 
There is a frightful meaning in those words. May you never have 
to spell it out by the red light of Jehovah's wrath ! 



370 D ir I y e h e ±li y g 



WHAT THIXK YE OF CHRIST ? 

The great test of your soul's health is. Uluit think you of 
Cliristf Is He to you '"fairer than the children of men"' — "the chief 
among ten thousand" — the "altogether loA-ely'" ? AMierever Christ 
is thus esteemed, all the faculties of the spiritual man exercise them- 
selves with energ}'. I will judge of your piety by this barometer : 
does Christ stand high or low with you ? If you have thought little 
of Christ, if you have been content to live without His presence, if 
you have cared little for His honor, if you have been neglectful 
of His laws, then I know that your soul is sick — God grant that it 
may not be sick unto death I But if the first thought of your spirit 
has been, "How can I honor Jesus ?" if the daily desire of your soul 
has been, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him I" I tell you 
that you may have a thousand infirmities, and even scarcely know 
whether you are a child of God at all. and yet I am persuaded, be- 
yond a doubt, that you are safe, since Jesus is great in your 
esteem. I care not for thy rags ; what thinkest thou of His royal 
apparel ? I care not for thy wounds, though they bleed in torrents ; 
what thinkest thou of His wounds ? are they like glittering rubies 
in thy esteem ? I think none the less of thee, though thou liest like 
Lazarus on the dunghill, and the dogs do lick thee — I judge thee 
not by thy poverty : what thinkest thou of the King in His beaut}''? 
Has He a glorious high throne in thy heart? Wouldst thou set 
Himx higher if thou couldst? Wouldst thou be willing to die if 
thou couldst but add another trumpet to the strain which pro- 
claims His praise ? Ah I then it is well with thee, ^^llatever thou 
mayest think of thyself, if Christ be great to thee, thou shalt be with 
Him ere long. 

Though all the world my choice deride, 

Yet Jesus shall my portion be ; 
For I am pleased with none beside : 

The fairest of the fair is He. 




THE PRODIGAL SON. 



MiyD AND FAITH CURE. 373 

THE PRODIGAL SON. 
(LUKE 15:11-20.) 

"And He said, A certain man had two sons : 

"And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me 
the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them 
his Hving. 

"And not many days after, the younger son gathered all to- 
gether, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted 
his substance with riotous living. 

"And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in 
that land ; and he began to be in want. 

"And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country ; 
and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 

"And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the 
swine did eat ; and no man gave unto him. 

"And when he came to himself, he said. How many hired 
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I 
perish with hunger [ 

"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him. 
Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 

"And am no more worthy to be called thy son : make me as 
one of thy hired servants. 

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet 
a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, 
and fell on his neck, and kissed him." 

"And the son said unto him. Father, I have sinned aganisl 
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy 
son. 

"But the father said to his servants. Bring forth the best robe, 
and put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his 
feet: 

"And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and 
be merry : 

"For this my son was dead, and is alive again ; he was lost, and 
is found. And they began to be merry. 

"Now his elder son was in the field : and as he came and drew 
nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 

'^nd he called one of the servants, and asked wliai these things 
meant. 



374 DIVINE HEALING. 

"And he said unto him, Thy brother is come ; and thy father 
hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and 
sound. 

"And he was angry, and would not go in : therefore came his 
father out, and entreated him. 

"And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do 
I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment : 
and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with 
my friends : 

"But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy 
living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 

"And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all 
that I have is thine. 

"It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad : for this 
thy brother was dead, and is alive again ; and was lost, and is 
found." 

THE RETURNING PRODIGAL. 

The long-lost son, with streaming eyes, 

Frorn folly just awake, 
Reviews his wand'rings with surprise ; 

His heart begins to break. 

I starve, he cries, nor can I bear 

The famine in this land. 
While servants of my Father share 

The bounty of his hand. 

With deep repentance I'll return. 

And seek my Father's face ; 
Unworthy to be called a son, 

I'll ask a servant's place. 

Far of¥ the Father saw him move — 

In pensive silence mourn — 
And quickly ran, with arms of love, 

To welcome his return. 

Through all the courts the tidings i^ew. 

And spread the joy around ; 
The angels tuned their harps anew — 

The long^-lost son is found ! 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 375 

It is quite certain that those whom Christ has washed in His 
precious blood need not make a confession of sin, as culprits or 
criminals, before God the Judge, for Christ has forever taken 
away all their sins in a legal sense, so that they no longer stand 
where they can be condemned, but are once for all accepted in the 
Beloved ; but having become children, and offending as children, 
ought they not every day to go before their heavenly Father and 
confess their sin, and acknowledge their iniquity in that character ? 
Nature teaches that it is the duty of erring children to make a 
confession to their earthly father, and the grace of God in the 
heart teaches us that we, as Christians, owe the same duty to our 
heavenly Father. We daily offend, and ought not to rest without 
daily pardon. For, supposing that my trespasses against my 
Father are not at once taken to Him to be washed away by the 
cleansing power of the Lord Jesus, what will be the consequence ? 
If I have not sought forgiveness and been washed from these 
offences against my Father, I shall feel at a distance from Him ; I 
shall doubt His love to me, I shall tremble at Him ; I 
shall be afraid to pray to Him ; I shall grow like the prodigal, 
who, although still a child, was yet far off from his father. But 
if, with a child's sorrow at oifending so gracious and loving a 
Parent, I go to Him and tell Him all, and rest not till I realize that 
I am forgiven, then I shall feel a holy love to my Father, and shall 
go through my Christian career, not only as saved, but as one en- 
joying present peace in God through Jesus Christ my Lord. There 
is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit, and con- 
fessing sin as a child. The Father's bosom is the place for penitent 
confessions. We have been cleansed once for all, but our feet still 
need to be washed from the defilement of our daily walk as children 
of God. 



THE COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST. 

(JOHN 14:26.) 

''But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom tlie 
Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and 
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto 
you." 

This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in 
which Jesus cheers us not by His personal presence, as He shall 



376 DIVINE HEALING. 

do by and by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the 
Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church, ft 
is His office to console the hearts of God's people. He convinces 
of sin ; He illuminates and instructs ; but still the main part of His 
work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming 
the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does 
this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but 
Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit 
is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, 
but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ's name and grace. 
He takes not of His own things, but of the things of Christ. So, 
if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we 
sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the 
title of the Paraclesis. If the one be the Comforter, the other is 
the Comfort. Now, with such rich provision for his need, why 
should the Christian be sad and desponding ? The Holy Spirit has 
graciously engaged to be thy Comforter : dost thou imagine, O 
thou weak and trembling believer, that He will be negligent of His 
sacred trust ? Canst thou suppose that He has undertaken what He 
cannot or will not perform ? If it be His especial work to strengthen 
thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose He has forgotten His 
business, or that He will fail in the loving office which He sustains 
towards thee ? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed 
Spirit whose name is "the Comforter." He delights to give the oil 
of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit 
of heaviness. Trust thou in Him, and He will surely comfort thee 
till the house of mourning is closed forever, and the marriage 
feast has begun. 




AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME AND TOOK THEM 

ALL AWAY. SO ALSO SHALL THE COMING 

OF THE SON OF MAN BE." 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 379 

AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME AND 
TOOK THEM ALL AWAY. SO ALSO SHALL 
THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE. 

(matt. 24:27-39.) 

"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even 
unto the west ; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 

"For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be 
gathered together. 

'Tmmediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun 
be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars 
shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be 
shaken. 

"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven : 
and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see 
the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and 
great glory. 

"And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a 
trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four 
winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree ; When his branch is yet 
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. 

"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that 
it is near, ez'en at the doors. 

"Verily I say unto you. This generation shall not pass, till all 
these things be fulfilled. 

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not 
pass away. 

"But of that day and hour knoweth no maji, no, not the angels 
of heaven, but My Father only. 

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the 
Son of Man be. 

"For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating 
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that 
Noe entered into the ark, 

"And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away ; 
so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." 

Universal was the doom ; neither rich nor poor escaped : the 
learned and illiterate, the admired and the abhorred, the religious 



380 DIVINE HEALING. 

and the profane, the old and the young, all sank in one common 
ruin. Some had doubtless ridiculed the patriarch — where now 
their merry jests? Others had threatened him for his zeal, which 
they counted madness — where now their boastings and hard 
speeches? The critic who judged the old man's work is drowned 
in the same sea which covers his sneering companions. Those who 
spoke patronizingly of the good man's fidelity to his convictions, 
but shared not in them, have sunk to rise no more, and the workers 
who for pay helped to build the wondrous ark, are all lost also. 
The flood swept them all away, and made no single exception. 
Even so, out of Christ, final destruction is sure to every man of 
woman born ; no rank, possession, or character, shall suffice to save 
a single soul who has not believed in the Lord Jesus. Dear reader, 
behold this wide-spread judgment, and tremble at it. 

How marvellous the general apathy ! they were all eating and 
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, till the awful morning 
dawned. There was not one wise man upon earth out of the 
ark. Folly duped the whole race, folly as to self-preservation — the 
most foolish of all follies. Folly in doubting the most true God 
— the most malignant of fooleries. Strange, my soul, is it not? 
All men are negligent of their souls till grace gives them reason ; 
then they leave their madness and act like rational beings, but not 
till then. 

All, blessed be God, were safe in the ark ; no ruin entered there. 
From the huge elephant down to the tiny mouse, all were safe. 
The timid hare was equally secure with the courageous lion, the 
helpless cony as safe as the laborious ox. All are safe in Jesus. 
Reader, art thou in Him ? 



I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. 
(JOHN 6:47-54.) 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on Me hath 
everlasting life. 

'T am that bread of life. 

''Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 

''This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man 
may eat thereof, and not die. 

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven : if any 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 381 

man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever : and the bread that I 
will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 

"The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How 
can this man give us His flesh to eat ? 

"Then Jesus said unto them. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ex- 
cept ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye 
have no life in you. 

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal 
life ; and I will raise him up at the last day." 

This is an invitation to enjoy fellowship with the saints. Chris- 
tains may differ on a variety of points, but they have all one 
spiritual appetite ; and if we cannot all feel alike, we can all feed 
alike on the bread of life sent down from heaven. At the table of 
fellowship with Jesus we are one bread and one cup. As the 
loving cup goes round, we pledge one another heartily therein. 
Get nearer to Jesus, and you will find yourself linked more and 
more in spirit to all who are, like yourself, supported by the same 
heavenly manna. If we were more near to Jesus, we should be 
more near to one another. We likewise see in these words the 
source of strength for every Christian. To look at Christ is to 
live, but for strength to serve Him you must "come and dine." 
We labor under much unnecessary weakness on account of neg- 
lecting this precept of the Master. We none of us need to put 
ourselves on low diet ; on the contrary, we should fatten on the 
marrow and fatness of the gospel, that we may accumulate 
strength therein, and urge every power to its full tension in the 
Master's service. Thus, then, if you would realize nearness to 
Jesus, union with Jesus, love to His people, and strength from 
Jesus, "come and dine" with Him by faith. 

Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary 
instant withdraw His hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace 
not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun 
ever shining ; He is manna always falling round the camp ; He is 
a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His 
smitten side ; the rain of His grace is always dropping ; the river 
of His bounty is ever flowing, and the well-spring of His love is 
constantly overflowing. As the King can never die, so His grace 
can never fail. Daily we pluck His fruit and daily His branches 
bend down to our hand with a fresh store of mercy. There 
are seven feast days in His weeks, and as many as are the days, 
so many are the banquets in His years. Who has ever returned 



382 DIVINEHEALING. 

from His door unblessed ? Who has ever risen from His table un- 
satisfied, or from His bosom un-emparadised ? His mercies are 
new every morning and fresh every evening. Who can know 
the number of His benefits, or recount the list of His bounties? 
Every sand which drops from the glass of time is but the tardy fol- 
lower of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered 
with the silver of His kindness, and with the yellow gold of His 
affection. The river of time bears from the mountains of eternity 
the golden sands of His favor. The countless stars are but as the 
standard bearers of a more innumerable host of blessings. 



IF THOU BELIEVEST WITH ALL THINE HEART, 
THOU MAYEST. 

(acts 8:37, 38.) 

"And Philip said. If thou believest with all thine heart, thou 
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is 
the Son of God. 

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still : and they went 
down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch ; and he 
baptized him." 

These words may answer your scruples, devout reader, concern- 
ing the ordinances. Perhaps you say, 'T should be afraid to 
be baptized ; it is such a solemn thing to avow myself to be dead 
with Christ, and buried with Him. I should not feel at liberty to 
come to the Master's table ; I should be afraid of eating and drink- 
ing damnation unto myself, not discerning the Lord's body." Ah ! 
poor trembler, Jesus has given you liberty ; be not afraid. When 
Jesus comes into the heart. He issues a general license to be glad 
in the Lord. No chains are worn in the court of King Jesus. Our 
admission into full privileges may be gradual, but it is sure. 
Perhaps you are saying, 'T wish I could enjoy the promises, and 
walk at liberty in my Lord's commands." "If thou believest with 
all thine heart, thou mayest." Loose the chains of thy neck, O 
captive daughter, for Jesus makes thee free. 




MARY AT THE FEET OF JESUS. 



MIWD AND FAITH CURE. 385 

]\IARY AT THE FEET OF JESUS. 
(LUKE 10:38-42.) 

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a 
certain village : and a certain woman named Martha received Him 
into her house. 

"And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, 
and heard His word. 

"But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to 
Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left 
me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. 

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou 
art careful and troubled about many things : 

"But one thing is needful : and Mary hath chosen that good 
part, which shall not be taken away from her." 

Her fault was not that she served : the condition of a servant 
well becomes every Christian. "I serve," should be the motto of 
all the princes of the royal family of heaven. Nor was it her fault 
that she had ''much serving." We cannot do too much. Let us do 
all that we possibly can ; let head, and heart, and hands be engaged 
in the Master's service. It was no fault of hers that she was busy 
preparing a feast for the Master. Happy Martha, to have an op- 
portunity of entertaining so blessed a guest; and happy, too, to 
have the spirit to throw her whole soul so heartily into the engage- 
ment. Her fault was that she grew "cumbered with much serv- 
ing," so that she forgot Him, and only remembered the service. 
She allowed service to override communion, and so presented one 
duty stained with the blood of another. We ought to be Martha 
and Mary in one, we should do much service, and have much com- 
munion at the same time. For this we need great grace. It is 
easier to serve than to commune. Joshua never grew weary in 
fighting with Amalekites ; but Moses, on the top of the mountain in 
prayer, needed two helpers to sustain his hands. The more 
spiritual the exercise, the sooner we tire in it. The choicest fruits 
are the hardest to rear ; the most heavenly graces are the most 
difficult to cultivate. Beloved, while we do not neglect external 
things, which are good enough in themselves, we ought also to 
see to it that we enjoy living, personal fellowship with Jesus. See 
to it that sitting at the Savior's feet is not neglected, even though 



386 D IT IX E HEALING. 

it be under the specious pretext of doing Him service. The first 
thing for our soul's health, the first thing for His glory, and the 
first thing for our own usefulness, is to keep ourselves in per- 
petual communion with the Lord Jesus, and to see that the vital 
spirituality of our religion is maintained over and above everything 
else in the world. 



JESUS CHRIST DISCOURSIXG WITH HIS DISCIPLES 
IX THE VALLEY OF JEHOSAPHAT. 

(LUKE 11:9, 10.) 

"And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you ; seek, and 
ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 

"For every one that asketh, receiveth ; and he that seeketh, 
findeth ; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened." 

Jehovah "/^ slozv to anger." When mercy cometh into the 
world she driveth winged steeds ; the axles of her chariot-wheels 
are red hot with speed ; but when wrath goeth forth, it toileth on 
with tardy footsteps, for God taketh no pleasure in the 
sinner's death. God's rod of mercy is ever in His hands out- 
stretched ; His sword of justice in its scabbard, held down by 
that pierced hand of love which bled for the sins of men. 

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing. 
Which before the cross I spend ; 

Life and health and peace possessing 
From the sinner's dying Friend. 

Here I'll sit, forever viewing 

Mercy's streams in drops of blood ; 

Precious drops, my soul bedewing. 

Plead and claim my peace w4th God. 



THE TONGUE AND ITS EVILS.— ST. JA^IES PREACLI- 
ING ON MORALITY. 

"]\Iy brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we rliill 
receive the greater condemnation. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 387 

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in 
word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole 
body. 

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey 
us ; and we turn about their whole body. 

"Behold also the ships, which, though they be so great, and are 
driven by fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small 
helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great 
things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! 

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity : so is the tongue 
among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on 
fire the course of nature ; and it is set on fire of hell. 

"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of 
things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind : 

"But the tongue can no man tame ; it is an unruly evil, full of 
deadly poison. 

"Therewith bless we God, even the Father ; and therewith curse 
we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My 
brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory 
not, and lie not against the truth. 

"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, 
sensual, devilish. 

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every 
evil work. 

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, 
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, 
without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

"If any man among you seem to be rehgious, and bridleth not 
his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is 
vain. 

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to 
hear, slow to speak, slow to wTath : 

"For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." 

"Above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither bv heaven, 
neither by the earth, neither by any other oath : but let your yea be 
yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. 

Is any among you afflicted ? let him pray. Is any merry ? let 
him sing psalms. 



388 D I V I y E H i: i lix g . 

Is any sick among you ? let him call for the elders of the church ; 
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of 
the Lord : 

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall 
raise him up ; and if he have committed sins, they shall be for- 
given him. 

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, 
that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous 
man availeth much." 

In the development of Christian truth, a peculiar ofhce was 
assigned to the apostle James. It was given to St. Paul to pro- 
claim Christianity as the spiritual of liberty, and to exhibit faith as 
the most active principle within the breast of man ; it was given 
to St. John to say that the deepest quality in the bosom of Deity 
is love, and to assert that the life of God in man is love; it was 
the office of St. James to assert the necessity of moral rectitude. 
His very name marked him out peculiarly for this office. He was 
emphatically called the "Just." Integrity was his peculiar charac- 
teristic, a man singularly honest, earnest, real. Accordingly, if 
you read through his whole epistle, you will find it is, from first to 
last, one continual vindication of the first principles of morality, 
against the semblances of religion. 

Now, the nature of man is to adore God, and to love what is 
godlike in man. The office of the tongue is to bless. Slander is 
guilty, because it contradicts this ; yet even in slander itself, per- 
version as it is, the interest of man in man is still distinguishable. 
What is it but perverse interest which makes the acts and words 
and thoughts of his brethren, even in their evil, a matter of such 
strange delight. Remember, therefore, this contradicts our nature 
and your destiny. To speak ill of others makes you a monster in 
God's world. Get the habit of slander, and then there is not a 
stream which bubbles fresh from the heart of nature, there is not 
a tree that silently brings forth its genial fruit in its appointed 
season, which does not rebuke and proclaim you a monster in 
God's world. Before we conclude, let us get at the root of the 
matter. ]\Ian, says the apostle James, was made in the image of 
God. To slander man is to slander God ; to love what is good in 
man is to love it in God. Love is the only remedy for slander. Xo 
set of rules or restrictions can stop it. We may denounce, but we 
shall denounce in vain. The radical cure of it is charity, out of 
a pure heart, and faith unfeigned. To feel what is great in the 



M I N D AX D FAITH CURE. 389 

human character, to recognize with deUght all high and generous 
and beautiful actions, to find a joy even in seeing the good 
qualities of your bitterest opponent, and to admire those qualities 
even in those with whom you have least sympathy, this is the only 
spirit which can heal the love of slander and of calumny. If we 
would bless God we must first learn to bless man, who is made in 
the image of God. There is but one remedy to cure this evil and 
that is the blood of Jesus Christ. He cleanseth us from all sins. 



THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON, CLEANSETH 
US FROM ALL SIN. 

(1 JOHN 1 :7.) 

"Cleanseth," says the text — not ''shall cleanse." There are 
multitudes who think that as a dying hope they may look forward 
to pardon. Oh, how infinitely better to have cleansing now than to 
depend on the bare possibility of forgiveness when I come to die. 
"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" — not 
only from sin, but "from all sin." Reader, I cannot tell you the 
exceeding sweetness of this word, but I pray God the Holy Ghost 
to give you a taste of it. Manifold are our sins against God, 
Whether the bill be little or great, the same receipt can discharge 
one as the other. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine 
a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the 
shortcomings of loving John ; our iniquity is gone, all gone at once, 
and all gone forever. Blessed completeness ! What a sweet theme 
to dwell upon as one gives himself to sleep. 

Sins against a holy God ; 

Sins against His righteous laws ; 
Sins against His love. His blood ; 

Sins against His name and cause ; 
Sins immense as is the sea — 
From them all He cleanseth me. 

Sin is a conquered foe to every soul in union with Jesus. There 
is no sin which a Christian cannot overcome if he w411 only rely 
upon his God to do it. They who wear the white robe in heaven 
overcame throuHi the blood of the Lamb, and we mav do the same. 



390 DIVINE E E ALIX G. 

No lust is too mighty, no besetting sin too strongly intrenched ; we 
can overcome through the power of Christ. Do believe it, Chris- 
tian, that thy sin is a condemned thing. It may kick and struggle, 
but it is doomed to die. God has written condemnation across its 
brow. Christ has crucified it, "nailing it to His cross." Go now 
and mortify it, and the Lord help you to live to His praise, for 
sin with all its guilt, shame, and fear, is gone. 

Here's pardon for transgressions past. 
It matters not how black their cast ; 
And, O my soul, with wonder view. 
For sins to come here's pardon, too. 

Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of 
kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil 
not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings ; let not 
those eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the 
King in His beauty — let not those feet be defiled in miry places 
which are soon to walk the golden streets ; let not those hearts be 
filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with 
heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy. 

Then rise, my soul ! and soar away, 

Above the thoughtless crowd ; 
Above the pleasures of the gay. 

And splendors of the proud ; 

Up where eternal beauties bloom. 

And pleasures all divine : 
AMiere wealth that never can consume. 

And endless glories shine. 




THE TRANSFIGURATION. 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 393 

THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

(mark 9:1-8.) 

Christ went up into the top of Mount Hermon, and while there 
in prayer He was transfigured. He took with Him Peter, James, 
and John, because they hved closer to Him and were more worthy 
than the rest to see His glory. The same three saw His agony in 
the garden. The other disciples were not close enough to Him to 
see the revelation. 

Moses, representing the law, and Elijah, the prophets, were 
there, because the old dispensation would honor the new, but 
they both were hidden from view by the cloud, to show that the 
old dispensation would pass away, and Jesus only be seen and 
honored. Christ denied Peter's request for the three tabernacles 
because the law and the prophets were fulfilled in Christ. The 
mountain top was not their normal plane, but they received power 
up there to go below in the valley to heal the lunatic. Go up to 
the mount for power, then go to the valley with men, and be useful. 

How great a difference between Moses and Jesus ! When the 
prophet of Horeb had been forty days upon the mountain, he 
underwent a kind of transfiguration, so that his countenance shone 
with exceeding brightness, and he put a veil over his face, for the 
people could not endure to look upon his glory. Not so our Savior. 
He had been transfigured with a greater glory than that of Moses, 
and yet it is not written that the people were blinded by the blaze 
of His countenance, but rather they were amazed, and running to 
Him they saluted Him. The glory of the law repels, but the 
greater glory of Jesus attracts. Though Jesus is holy and just, 
yet blended with His purity there is so much of truth and grace, 
that sinners run to Him amazed at His goodness, fascinated by 
His love ; they salute Him, become His disciples, and take Him to 
be their Lord and Master. Reader, it may be that just now you are 
blinded by the dazzling brightness of the law of God. You feel 
its claims on your conscience, but you cannot keep it in your 
life. Not that you find fault with the law ; on the contrary, it com- 
mands your profoundest esteem ; still you are in no wise drawn 
by it to God ; you are rather hardened in heart, and are verging 
towards desperation. Ah, poor heart ! turn thine eye from Moses, 
with all his repelling splendor, and look to Jesus, resplendent 



394 h I \ I \ /-; H K A L I y a . 

with milder glories. Behold His flowing wounds and thorn- 
crowned head I He is the Son of God, and therein He is greater 
than Closes : but He is the Lord of loA-e. and therein more tender 
than the lawgiver. He bore the wrath of God. and in His deach 
revealed more of God's justice than Sinai in a blaze: but that 
justice is now vindicated, and henceforth it is the guardian of 
believers in Jesus. Look, sinner, to the bleeding Savior, and as 
thou feelest the attraction of His love, fly to His arms, and thou 
shalt be saved. 

THE SOX OF ^L\3s\ 
(JOHN 3:13-18.) 

"And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came 
down from heaven, cz'Cii the Son of 2\Ian which is in heaven. 

■'And as ]\Ioses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so 
must the Son of ]\Ian be lifted up : 

"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have 
eternal life. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have 
everlasting life. 

"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the 
world : but that the world through Him might be saved. 

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that be- 
lieveth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in 
the name of the only begotten Son of God." 

How constantly our Piaster used the title, the "Son of Man*'! 
If He had chosen. He might always have spoken of Himself as the 
Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counsel- 
lor, the Prince of Peace : but behold the lowliness of Jesus ! He 
prefers to call Himself the Son of man. Let us learn a lesson of 
humility from our Savior : let us never court great titles nor proud 
degrees. There is here, however, a far sweeter thought, Jesus 
loved manhood so much, that He delighted to honor it : and since 
It is a high honor, and. indeed, the greatest dignity of manhood, 
that Jesus is the Son of ]\Jan. He is wont to display this name, that 
He may, as it were, hang royal stars upon the breast of manhood, 
and show forth the love of God to Abraham's seed. Son of Man — 
whenever He said that word. He shed a halo round the head of 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 395 

x\dam's children. Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought 
still. Jesus Christ called Himself the Son of Man to express His 
oneness and sym.pathy with His people. He thus reminds us that 
He is one whom we may approach without fear. As a man, we 
may take to Him all our griefs and troubles, for He knows them 
by experience; in that He Himself hath suffered as the "Son of 
Man," He is able to succor and comfort us. All hail, Thou blessed 
Jesus ! inasmuch as Thou art evermore using the sweet name which 
acknowledges that Thou art a brother and a near kinsman, it is to 
us a dear token of Thy grace, Thy humility. Thy love. 

Oh, see how Jesus trusts Himself 

Unto our childish love, 
As though by His free ways with us. 

Our earnestness to prove ! 

His sacred name a common word 

On earth He loves to hear, 
There is no majesty in Him 

Which love may not come near. 



AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME. 

(rev. 22:17.) 

"And the Spirit and the Bride say. Come. And let him thai 
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And who- 
soever will, let him take of the water of life freely. 

WHOSOEVER WILL. 

The Spirit, in our hearts, 

Is whispering, "Sinner, come": 
The bride, the church of Christ, proclaims 

To all His children, "Come !" 

Let him that heareth say 

To all about him, "Come!" 
Let him that thirsts for righteousness. 

To Christ, the fountain, come ! 



396 DIVINE HEALING. 

Yea, whosoever will, 

O let him freely come, 
And freely drink the stream of life ; 

'Tis Jesus bids him come. 

Lo, Jesus, who invites. 

Declares, "I quickly come'' ; 
Lord, even so ! we wait Thine hour ; 

O blest Redeemer, come ! 

H. U. ONDERDONK. 



Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the 
broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, 
which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one : "He will not break 
the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Doth not that 
suit thy case ? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak ; a bruised 
reed, out of which no music can come ; weaker than weakness 
itself ; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet He will not break thee ; 
but, on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art 
like the smoking flax : no light, no warmth can come from thee ; 
but He will not quench thee ; He will blow with His sweet 
breath of mercy till He fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean 
another ear? "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden, and I will give you rest." What soft words ! Thy heart is 
tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore He speaketh so 
gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey Him, and come even now ? 

A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could 
not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His con- 
versation should be such that all who are about him should clearly 
perceive whose he is, and whom he serves, and should see the 
image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions. Lights are intended 
for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. 
We are to hold forth to them the word of life. We are to 
point sinners to the Savior, and the weary to a divine resting 
place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to under- 
stand them ; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer 
in the meaning of God's Word, the way of salvation, and the life 
of godliness. Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks 
and shoals a lighthouse is sure to be erected. Christian men should 
know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the 
world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of 



M I N D AND FAITH CURE. 397 

Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the 
name of pleasure : they hoist the wrong light ; be it ours to put up 
the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, 
and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of 
all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights also have a very 
cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to 
be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his 
heart ; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse hap- 
piness around him. 

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me ; 
I myself would gracious be, 
And with words that help and heal. 
Would Thy life in mine reveal. 
And with actions bold and meek, 
Would for Christ my Savior speak. 



JESUS SAT AT MEAT WITH MATTHEW. 

(LUKE 15:10-13.) 

"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, 
many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and 
His disciples. 

"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, 
Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners ? 

"But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be 
whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 

"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and 
not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners 
to repentance." 

Observe the condescension of this fact. This Man who towers 
above all other men, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from 
sinners — this Man receiveth sinners. This Man, who is no other 
than the eternal God, before Whom angels veil their faces — this 
Man receiveth sinners. It needs an angel's tongue to describe such 
a mighty stoop of love. When Jesus receives sinners. He has not 
some out-of-door reception-place, no casual ward where He 
charitably entertains them as men do passing beggars, but tie 
opens the golden gates of His royal heart, and receives the sinner 



398 D IT ly E H E ALIX G . 

right into Himself — yea. He admits the humble penitent into 
personal union, and makes him a member of His body, of His flesh, 
and of His bones. There was never such a reception as this I This 
fact is still most sure this evening, He is still 
would to God sinners would receive Him. 

O that I could the blessing prove, 

]\Iy heart's extreme desire ! 
Live happy in my Savior's love, 

And in His arms expire ! 

Nothing I ask or want beside. 

Of all in earth or heaven. 
But let me feel Thy blood applied. 

And live and die forgiven. 



M I X D AK D FAITH CURE. 401 

A CERTAIN MAN MADE A GREAT SUPPER. 

(LUKE li:23.) 

"Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring- 
in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind ; 
and the servant said. Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, 
and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, go 
out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, 
that my house may be filled." 

AND YET THERE IS ROOM. 

Ye wretched, starving poor. 

Behold a royal feast ! 
Where mercy spreads her bounteous store 

For every humble guest. 

See, Christ, with open arms, 

Invites, and bids you come ; 
O stay not back, though fear alarms; 

For yet there still is room. 

O come, and with us taste 

The blessings of His love : 
While hope expects the sweet repast 

Of nobler joys above. 

There, with united voice. 

Before the eternal throne, 
Ten thousand thousand souls rejoice, 

In ecstasies unknown. 

Ten thousand thousand more 

Are welcome still to come : 
Ye longing souls, the grace adore ; 

Approach — there yet is room. 

Jesus was ever the man of God as well as the God man. His 
mission was never obscured by, or ignored because of his sur- 
roundings. Always about His Father's business, other consider- 
ations were held in subordination and made contributory thereunto. 



402 DIYiyE EEALiy'i. 

The scene is laid in the closing days of His ministry, at the 
table of a Pharisee. Surrounded by vigilant enemies who 
"watched" for an occasion against Him. Yet even this did not 
deter Him from exercising His gift of healing. 

But there was need of a lesson in humiHty as well as healing 
to those who jostled each other in their scramble for the highest 
places. "And ( for this purpose I He put forth a parable to those 
which were bidden, when He marked how they chose out the chief 
rooms," etc. 

But, with opulent guests occupying the tables, while the suf- 
fering poor feasted only with their eyes, and thronged the walls 
in hungr}- longing, a lesson in true hospitality was requisite. 
"Then said He also to him that bade Him." 

One of the guests, by the law of association, and doubtless 
fearing that the discourse was becoming too didactic for a polite 
reception and thinking to divert it into another channel, said : 
"Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." But 
this was made a text for the exposure of their spirit and aims. 
As much as to say. you think so, do you? But. instead of so 
receiving, and rejoicing in the provisions of Messiah's kingdom 
as you say, this is the reception which you and your class will 
give — yt3L, after the similitude of this parable are now giving it, 
"A certain man made a great supper," etc. 

The giver of the supper is God. The supper given is the 
gospel. The first and long invited are the Tews, of the repre- 
sentative, the trained, the priestly, the Pharasaic classes. They 
were first invited by Closes, the prophets, the psalmists and all 
the inspired teachers sent them. Those represented by the ser- 
vant, who notified them that the feast was ready, were John the 
Baptist, Jesus and His disciples. Their excuses to the senant 
show their rejection of the Savior and His method of salvation. 

Those of the streets and lanes of the city represent the outcast 
Jews. In eastern countries there are no almshouses, hospitals or 
asylums, and the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind, have 
nothing for it but the street. Here they live, and beg and suffer 
and starve and die. Their physical miseries are but t}*pes of 
mental and moral conditions. The ser\*ant inviting knew that 
these were included, and so anticipated the blaster's command, 
and invited them before the specified order was given, and re- 
plied: "Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there 



3IIN D AND FAITH CURE. 403 

is room." There is that upon the very face of the gospel which 
shows it, without evidence or argument, to be for the suffering 
and the needy. 

"Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to ccme 
in, that my house may be filled." There is in the east a class so 
vile in their diseases and informities, that being too horrible to 
look upon, and too dangerous, either from contagion or infec- 
tion, they are driven from -the cities to the sparsely settled places 
of the country. These represent the Gentile world in the appli- 
cation, and so go to make up the crime-stained and misery-stricken 
of the whole hum.an family who have a place in the merits of Jesus, 
and an interest in His atonement. We with the whole Gentile 
world have our opportunities in this invitation to the outcasts in 
the highways and hedges. 

O, for a trumpet voice. 

On all the world to call, 

To bid their hearts rejoice 

In Him who died for all ; 

For all my Lord was crucified ; 

For all, for all, my Savior died. 

Yes, we rejoice that the gospel is for all the unsaved every- 
where. But do you actually realize just what it means? It means 
that a penitentiary convict, with cropped hair and striped gar- 
ments, has as much right and title to Jesus Christ and His salva- 
tion, as a vestal virgin. It means that the poor fallen, corrupted 
and corrupting woman of the street has as much claim upon the 
merits and mercy of Jesus as the purest white-souled girl taught 
in your Sunday school and reared in a Christian home. 

This fountain is open for sin and uncleanness everywhere, and 
for everybody. 

The dying thief rejoiced to see 

That fountain in his day ; 
And there may I, though vile as he. 

Wash all my sins away. 

The poor, the lame, and the blind called unto the supper. Jesus 
went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees, and while there 
spoke a parable about a man vdio made a great supper. When 



404 DiriXEHEALiyG. 

everything is set on his table, the man sends his servant to those 
who were invited, saying, Come, for all things are now ready, but 
they began with one accord to make excuse. The first said, I 
have bought a piece of ground, and must go and see it. I pray 
thou wilt have me excused. Another said, I have bought five 
yoke of oxen, and am going to try them ; I pray thee, have me 
excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and there- 
fore, I cannot come. So the servant came and told his master 
these things. Then, the master, being angry,- said to him. Go 
quickly into the streets, and bring into my house, the poor, the 
lame and the blind, and the servant did as he was commanded. 
Afterward, he came to his master, saying, I have done as thou 
hast commanded me, and there is room for still more. The 
master said, Go, again, through the streets and lanes of the city 
and make the people come in, that my house may be filled, for 
I declare that none of these men who were first invited shall taste 
of my supper. In the parable, the man who gave the supper 
means God ; the supper itself means the good news of the gospel : 
the servant means God's ministers, who preach the gospel, and 
the men who were first invited and would not come, means the 
Jews, because the gospel was preached to them first, and they 
would not believe it. The men who were brought into the supper 
afterwards means the people of other nations, who have heard 
the gospel since that time, and have obeyed it. And the com- 
mand to go out into the streets and lanes and bring them in, means 
that not only the rich and the great, but also the poor and 
despised, are invited to come and be saved. 

I think I see the servant who goes on this executive mission 
He stops at a poor, miserable beggar, outside the city limits, too 
vile to come in. He goes up to him and touching him, says, ''My 
Master wants you to come and feast with Him, right away." 
"Out upon you, how can you mock a man in such distress as I ; I 
haven't had food for three days, and you mock my misery." ''No, 
my poor friend, I do not. INIy IMaster has a great feast prepared 
and has hundreds of such as you to eat it, and sent me to bring 
you in." "Oh, it cannot be, yet I am so hungry.'' . "Yes, it is, 
come with me." "Xo, I can't go, I am too dirty to go into a 
gentleman's house." "That is all right, my Alaster has the 
carriers bringing water, and they have filled all the baths, and 
everyone is washed thoroughly ; come." 

"No, I cannot ; look at these rags ; they are filthy and filled with 



M I \ D AND FAITH C U RE . 405 

vermin, and I have no other." "That is all right. We have a 
fire built with orders to burn all these rags, and Master is giving 
everyone a new suit of clothes from His own wardrobe." "But 
look at my sores ; they have not been dressed for days, and are 
awfully offensive. No, I cannot go." 

"Yes, you can ; my Master has sent for all the physicians of 
the city, with their ointments, and they have orders to dress all 
the ulcers and apply the ointments. Now, you will come, won't 
you ?" 

"I can't walk so far, I am weak, very weak; 1 have eaten 
nothing for three days." 

How much like him who "forsook a throne and sat down upon 
his own foot stool ; who came down from the top of glory to the 
bottom of humiliation and exchanged a circumference seraphic 
for a circumference diabolic ; once waited on by angels, now 
hissed at by brigands. From afar and high He came down by 
starry thrones. Himself more lustrous ; passed meteors swifter 
than they ; from worlds larger to worlds smaller — down stairs 
of firmaments, from cloud to cloud, through tree tops, into the 
camel's stall, to take through His own vitals the darts of pain 
and wrap Himself in all the anguish that we deserved for our mis- 
doings, and stood upon the splitting decks of a stranded vessel, 
drenched with the surf of the sea, and spent midnights on moun- 
tains, amid wild beasts of prey, and stood where all earthly and 
infernal antagonisms charged upon Him with their sharp sword-, 
our substitute." 

And all this out of loving sympathy for us. To compel us 
to come to His feast, we who leave our brethren to starve and 
die. Oh, where is thine own heart of pity for those others over 
whom he sweated great drops of blood and for whom "he endured 
the cross, despised the shame and is set down at the right hand 
of the throne of God." Compel, oh, compel them in like manner 
to come in. The church that ignores the poor of today is the 
church without a future. The church which sympathizes with 
and wins the poor today will have the wealthy of the next gen- 
eration. But more, much more than this, it "shall save souls 
from death and hide multitudes of sins.'' 

Go where they are. In homes of affluence you will find manv 
starving- souls ; in the garrets of poverty, in the walks of virtue and 
in the haunts of vice, in the halls of plenty and in the purlieus of 
hunger, famishing immortals await your coming and can be 
saved for the effort you are capable of making. 



406 DIVINE HEALING. 

Go where they are. Thus it is written and thus it behooA^eth 
Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and that repentance and 
remission of sins might be preached in His name among all na- 
tions, beginning at Jerusalem. Go, then, shouting everywhere, in 
streets and lanes, in highways and hedges : 

Sent by my Lord, on you I call. 

The invitation is to all. 

Come all the world, come sinners thou. 

All things in Christ are ready now. 

Come all 3^e souls by sin oppressed, 
Ye restless wanderers after rest ; 
Ye poor and maimed, ye halt and blind, 
In Christ a heartv welcome find- 




THE RAISING OF LAZARUS. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 409 

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS. 

(JOHN 11-Al-U.) 

''Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead 
was laid. And Jesus hfted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thanic 
Thee that Thou hast heard me. 

"And I knew that Thou hearest me always: but because of 
the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that 
Thou hast sent me. 

"And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, 
Lazarus, come forth. 

"And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with 
graveclothes ; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus 
saith unto them. Loose him, and let him go." 

THIS SICKNESS IS NOT UNTO DEATH. (jOHN 11:4.) 

From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sick- 
ness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is re- 
strained, and beyond which it cannot go. Lazarus might pass 
through death, but death was not to be the ultimatum of his 
sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, 
"Hitherto shall ye go, but no farther." His fixed purpose is not 
the destruction, but the instruction of His people. Wisdom hangs 
up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the 
heat. 

1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of 
Providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition and 
effects of all our sicknesses ; each throb is decreed, each sleep- 
less hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression 
of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally pur- 
posed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of 
Him who numbers the hairs of our head. 

2. This limit is zvisely adjusted to our strength, to the end 
designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at 
haphazard — the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately 
measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clonal >^ 
and metinof out the heavens, commits no errors in measurino- our 



410 DiriyE EEALIXG 

the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. \\'e cannot 
suffer too much, nor be reheved too late. 

3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly 
Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "Ke 
doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men."" A 
mother's heart cries, "Spare my child!" but no mother is more 
compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how 
hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with 
a sharper bit. The thought is full of consolation, that He who 
has fixed the bounds of our habitation has also fixed the bounds 
of our tribulation. 



FATHER, I WILL THAT THEY ALSO WHO:\I THOU 
HAST GIVEX ME BE WITH ^lE WHERE I A^I. 

(JOHN i::2-i.) 

"Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given ^le be 
with 'Me where I am ; that they may behold ^ly glory which Thou 
hast o-iven ]Me : for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the 
world." 

Christ dries our tears by His revelation of forgiveness. In His 
limitless forgiveness the bitterest tears of reproach and remorse are 
dried away. 

Christ gives us tearless eyes by His revelation of our share in 
His own destiny. "Father. I will that they also whom Thou hast 
given Me, he with ^le where I am. that they may behold I\Iy glory 
which Thou hast given Me." Xothing can disappoint that will. 
The destiny of Christ is the destiny of every one who trusts Him. 

Then let our songs abound 
And every tear be dry, 

We're marching through Immanuel's ground 
To fairer worlds on high. 

It is through Jesus' prevailing prayer — "Father, I will that 
they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.'" It 
is that which bears them on eagles" wings to heaven. Every time 
a believer mounts from this earth to paradise, it is in answer to 

Christ's prayer. A good old divine remarks. "Alany times Jesus 



MIND AWD FAITH CURE. 411 

and His people pull against one another in prayer. You bend 
your knee in prayer and say, 'Father, I will that Thy saints be 
with me where / am ;' Christ says, 'Father, I will that they also 
whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where / am.' " Thus the 
disciple is at cross-purposes with his Lord. The soul cannot be 
in both places : the beloved one cannot be with Christ and with 
you, too. Now, which pleader shall win the day? If you had your 
choice; if the King should step from His throne, and say, "Here 
are two supplicants praying in opposition to one another ; which 
shall be answered ?" Oh ! I am sure, though it were agony, you 
would start from your feet, and say, "Jesus, not my will, but 
Thine be done." You would give up your prayer for your beloved 
one's life, if you could realize the thought that Christ is praying in 
the opposite direction — "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou 
hast given Me, be with Me where I am." Lord, Thou shalt have 
them. By faith we let them go. 

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things 
so as to present the same appearance year after year. No up- 
springing of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. 
They exist, but do not '' grozv up into Him in all things." But 
should we rest content with being in the "green blade," when we 
might advance to "the ear," and eventually ripen into the "full 
corn in the ear" ? Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to 
say, "I am safe," without wishing to know in our own experience 
more of the fullness which is to be found in Him ? It should not be 
so; we should, as good traders in heaven's market, covet to be 
enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep 
other men's vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual 
growth and ripening. Why should it always be winter time in 
our hearts ? We must have our seed time, it is true ; but O for 
a spring time — yea, a summer season, which shall give promise of 
an early harvest ! If we would ripen in grace, we must live near 
to Jesus — in His presence — ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. 
We must hold sweet communion with Him. We must leave the 
distant view of His face, and come near, as John did, and pillow 
our heads on His breast ; then shall we find ourselves advancing 
in holiness, in love, in faith, in hope — yea, in every precious gift. 
As the sun rises first on mountain-tops, and gilds them with his 
light, and presents one of the most charming sights to the eye of the 
traveler, so is it one of the most delightful contemplations in tht; 
world to mark the glow of the Spirit's light on the head of some 



412 DiriXE HEALIXa. 

saint, who has risen up in spiritual stature, Hke Saul, above his fel- 
lows, till, like a mighty Alp, snow-capped, he reflects first among 
the chosen the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears thv.^ 
sheen of His effulgence high aloft for all to see, and seeing it, to 
p'lorifv his Father which is in heaven. 



YOU SHOULD BE LHvE JESUS. 

You should be like Jesus — very valiant for your God. Imitate 
Him in your loring spirit ; think kindly, speak kindly, and do 
kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."' 
Imitate Jesus in His Iioliiicss. A\'as He zealous for His Master" 
So be you ; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted : it 
is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own 
interest? Be the same. Was He devout? Be you fervent in 
your prayers. Had He deference to His Father's will? So sub- 
mit yourselves to Him. Was He patient? So learn to endure. 
And, best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive 
your enemies, as He did ; and let those sublime words of your 
Master, "Father, forgive them ; for they know not what they 
do," always ring- in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be for- 
given. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your 
kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, 
then ; and in all v/ays and by all means, so live that all may say 
of you, "He lias been with Jesus." 

Let none hear you idly saying, 

"There is nothing I can do," 
While the souls of men are dying 

And the ^Master calls for you. 

Take the task He gives you gladly, 

Let His work your pleasure be ; 
Answer quickly when He calleth, 

"Here am I, send me, send me." 



\i' ■- 



CHRIST INSTITUTETH HIS HOLY SUPPER. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 415 

CHRIST INSTITUTETH HIS HOLY SUPPER. 
(LUKE 22:14-20.) 

"And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve 
apostles with Him. 

"And He said unto them. With desire I have desired to eat 
this passover with you before I suffer: 

"For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it 
be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 

"And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said. Take this, 
and divide it among yourselves : 

"For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, 
until the kingdom of God shall come. 

"And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave 
unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you : this 
do in remembrance of Me. 

"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the 
New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you." 

That doleful night before His death, 

The Lamb, for sinners slain, 
Did, almost with His dying breath, 

This solemn feast ordain. 

To keep the feast, Lord, we have met. 

And to remember thee: 
Help each poor trembler to repeat, 

"For me He died, for me!" 

Thy sufferings. Lord, each sacred sign 

To our remembrance brings ; 
We eat the bread, and drink the wine, 

But think on nobler things. 

O tune our tongues, and set in frame 

Each heart that pants for Thee, 
To sing, "Hosanna to the Lamb, 

The Lamb that died for me !" 

JOSEPH IIAKT. 



416 DIVINE HE A LI WG. 

Where can such sweetness be found as we have tasted in com- 
munion with our Beloved? In our esteem, the joys of earth are 
Httle better than husks for swine compared with Jesus, the heaven- 
ly manna. We would rather have one mouthful of Christ's love, 
and a sip of His fellowship, than a whole world full of carnal de- 
lights. What is the chaff to the wheat? What is the sparkling 
paste to the true diamond ? What is a dream to the glorious 
reality? What is time's mirth, in its best trim, compared to our 
Lord Jesus in His most despised estate ? If you know anything of 
the inner life, you will confess that our highest, purest, and most 
enduring joys must be the fruit of the tree of life which is in the 
midst of the Paradise of God. No spring yields such sweet water 
as that well of God which was digged with the soldier's spear. All 
earthly bliss is of the earth earthy, but the comforts of Christ's 
presence are like Himself, heavenly. We can review our com- 
munion with Jesus, and find no regrets of emptiness therein ; there 
are no dregs in this wine, no dead flies in this ointment. The joy 
of the Lord is solid and enduring. Vanity hath not looked upon 
it, but discretion and prudence testify that it abideth the test of 
years, and is in time and in eternity worthy to be called ''the only 
true delight/' For nourishment, consolation, exhilaration, and re- 
freshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Let us drink to the 
full this evening. 



APPROACHING THE TABLE. 



Jesus, at Whose supreme command. 
We now approach to God, 

Before us in Thy vesture stand, 
Thy vesture dipp'd in blood. 

Now, Savior, now Thyself reveal, 
And make Thy nature known ; 

Affix Thy blessed Spirit's seal, 
And stamp us for Thine own. 

The tokens of Thy dying love, 

O let us all receive, 
And feel the quick'ning Spirit move, 

And sensibly believe. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 417 

The cup of blessing, blest by Thee, 

Let it Thy blood impart ; 
The bread Thy mystic body be, 

To cheer each languid heart. 

The living bread sent down from heaven. 

In us vouchsafe to be : 
Thy flesh for all the world is given, 

And all may live by Thee. 

Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but 
regard the present with dissatisfaction ; they look back upon the 
days which they have passed in communing with the Lord, as 
being the sweetest and the best they have ever known ; but as to 
the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom and dreariness. 
Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have 
w^andered from Him, and they say, "O that I were as in months 
past !" They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that 
they have not present peace of mind, or that they have no enjoy- 
ment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so tender, 
or that they have not so much zeal for God's glory. The causes 
of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise 
through a comparative neglect of prayer^ for a neglected closet is 
the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of 
idolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more 
than with God ; the alTections have been set on the things of earth, 
instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content 
with a divided heart ; He must be loved first and best. He will 
withdraw the sunshine of His presence from a cold, wandering 
heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self- 
righteonsness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted in- 
stead of lying low at the foot of the cross. Christian, if you are not 
now as you "were in months past," do not rest satisfied with 
zvishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek 
your Maker, and tell Him your sad state. Ask His grace rmd 
strength to help you to walk more closely with Him ; humble your- 
self before Him, and He will lift you up, and give you yet again 
to enjoy the light of His countenance. Do not sit down to sigh 
and lament ; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope ; nay, 
there is a certainty of recovery for the worst cases. 



418 Dir IN E H E ALIN G. 

THE LORD'S SUPPER.— JUDAS DIPPING HIS HAND IN 

THE DISH. 

(mark U:17-20.) 

''And in the evening He cometh with the twelve. 

"And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily, I say unto you, 
one of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me. 

"And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto Him, one by 
one, Is it I ? and another said, Is it I ? 

"And He answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve 
that dippeth with Me in the dish." 

The King of heaven His table spreads. 

And blessings crown the board; 
Not Paradise, with all its joys, 

Could such delight afford. 

Pardon and peace to dying men. 

And endless life are given. 
Through the rich blood that Jesus shed. 

To raise our souls to heaven. 

Millions of souls, in glory now. 

Were fed and feasted here ; 
And millions more, still on the way. 

Around the board appear. 

All things are ready, come away. 

Nor weak excuses frame. 
Crowd to your places at the feast. 

And bless the Founder's name. 

When we give our hearts with our alms, we give well, but 
we must often plead to a failure in this respect. Not so our Master 
and our Lord. His favors are always performed with the love of 
His heart. He does not send to us the cold meat and the broken 
pieces from the table of His luxury, but He dips our morsel in His 
own dish, and seasons our provisions with the spices of His fra- 
grant affections. When He puts the golden tokens of His grace 



MI^^D AND FAITH CURE. 419 

into our palms, He accompanies the gift with such a warm pres- 
sure of our hand, that the manner of His giving is as precious as 
the boon itself. He will come into our houses upon His errands of 
kindness, and He will not act as some austere visitors do in the 
poor man's cottage, but He sits by our side, not despising our pov- 
erty, nor blaming our weakness. Beloved, with what smiles does 
He speak ! What golden sentences drop from His gracious lips ! 
What embraces of affection does He bestow upon us ! If He had 
but given us farthings, the way of His giving would have gilded 
them ; but as it is, the costly alms are set in a golden basket by His 
pleasant carriage. It is impossible to doubt the sincerity of His 
charity, for there is a bleeding heart stamped upon the face of all 
His benefactions. He giveth liberally, and upbraideth not. Not 
one hint that we are burdensome to Him ; not one cold look for 
His poor pensioners; but He rejoices in His mercy, and presses 
us to His bosom while He is pouring out His life for us. There 
is a fragrance in His spikenard which nothing but His heart could 
produce; there is a sweetness in His honeycomb which could not 
be in it unless the very essence of His soul's affection had been 
mingled with it. Oh ! the rare communion which such singular 
heartiness effecteth ! May we continually taste and know the 
blessedness of it ! 




MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL UNTO DEATH.' 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 423 



MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL UNTO DEATH. 
(mark 14:32-35.) 

"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane : and 
He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 

"And He taketh with Him Peter, James, and John, and began 
to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy ; 

''And saith unto them. My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto 
death : tarry ye here, and watch. 

"And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and 
prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him." 

Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The 
majority of the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to 
be admitted to behold the mysteries of "the agony." Occupied 
with the passover feast at their own houses, they represent the 
many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes as to the spirit 
of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only, was the privilege 
given to enter Gethsemane and see "this great sight." Out of the 
eleven, eight were left at a distance ; they had fellowship, but not of 
that intimate sort to which men greatly beloved are admitted. 
Only three highly favored ones could approach the veil of our 
Lord's mysterious sorrow ; within that veil even these must not in- 
trude ; a stone's cast distance must be left between. He must tread 
the wine-press alone, and of the people there must be none with 
Him. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee represent the few eminent, 
experienced saints, who may be written down as "Fathers" ; these 
having done business on great waters, can in some degree measure 
the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer's passion. To some 
selected spirits it is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen 
them for the future, special and tremendous conflict, to enter the 
inner circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest ; 
they have fellowship with Him in His suft'erings, and are made 
conformable unto His death. Yet even these cannot penetrate the 
secret places of the Savior's woe. "Thine unknown sufferings," 
is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy : there was an 
inner chamber in our Master's grief, shut out from human 
knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is "left alone." Here 
Jesus was more than ever an "unspeakable gift." Is not Watts 
right when he sings : 

"And all the unknown joys He gives 

Were bought with agonies unknown"? 



424 DIVIDE H E ALI y G . 

Jesus is alone. His three disciples are asleep. The solemn 
night air, the silent heavens, in awe, witness the agonized prayer of 
His heart-broken spirit. The last supper has just been concluded. 
No more He mingles with His fellow-men, in market, in thorough- 
fare or at board. He prays the prayer that seals the consummation 
of His work — the redemption of His race, "Xot My will, but Thine 
be done." This design is one of the most affecting and beautiful 
of the Bible series. Every detail is wrought out with unusual 
care and precision; the landscape is rich and full, with mighty up- 
springing trees and gracefully sweeping branches, yielding turf 
and tufted masses of flowering plants ; the sky is warm and tender, 
and an evening softness is in the air. The artist has been deeply 
moved by the incident, and as we gaze upon the rapt and holy 
countenance of Christ, upturned in prayer, with the disciples 
sleeping for sorrow, all the sadness and solemnity of the scene are 
revealed to us. 




>^ 




THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 427 

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 

(LUKE 22:41-44.) 

"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and 
kneeled down, and prayed, 

"Saying, Father, if Thou be wilHng, remove this cup from 
Me : nevertheless, not My will, but Thine, be done. 

"And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strength- 
ening Him. 

"And being in an agony. He prayed more earnestly: and His 
sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the 
ground." 

Did Christ o'er sinners weep. 

And shall our cheeks be dry? 
Let floods of penitential grief 

Burst forth from every eye. 

The Son of God in tears 

Angels with wonder see : 
Be thou astonished, O my soul. 

He shed those tears for thee. 

He wept that we might weep ; 

Each sin demands a tear; 
In heaven alone no sin is found, 

And there's no weeping there. 

The mental pressure arising from our Lord's struggle with 
temptation so forced His frame to an unnatural excitement that 
His pores sent forth great drops of blood which fell down to 
the ground. This proves how tremendous miist Iiaz'c been the 
weight of sin when it was able to crush the Savior so that He 
distilled great drops of blood! This demonstrates the mighty 
power of His love. It is a very pretty observation of old Isaac 
Ambrose that the gum which exudes from the tree without cutting- 
is always the best. This precious camphor-tree yielded most sweet 
spices when it was wounded under the knotty whips and when it 
was pierced by the nails on the cross ; but see, it giveth forth its 
best spice when there is no whip, no nail, no wound. This sets 



428 DiriXE HEALING. 

forth the voluntariness of Christ's sufferings, since without a lance 
the blood flowed freely. Xo need to put on the leech or apply the 
knife; it flows spontaneously. Xo need for the rulers to cry, 
"Spring up, O well'' ; of itself it flows in crimson torrents. If men 
suffer great pain of mind apparently the blood rushes to the heart. 
The cheeks are pale ; a fainting fit comes on ; the blood has gone 
inward, as if to nourish the inner man while passing through its 
trial. But see our Savior in His agony ; He is so utterly oblivious 
to self, that instead of His agony driving His blood to the heart 
to nourish Himself, it drives it outward to bedew the earth. The 
agony of Christ, inasmuch as it pours Him out upon the ground, 
pictures the fulness of the offering which He made for men. 

Do we not perceive how intense must have been the wrestling 
through which He passed, and will we not hear its voice to tisr 
"Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Behold 
the great Apostle and High Priest of our profession, and sweat 
even to blood rather than yield to the great tempter of your 
souls. 




"BETRAVEST THOU THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 431 

BETRAYEST THOU THE SON OF MAN WITH A KISS? 

(LUKE 22:48.) 

The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Let me be on my guard 
when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray 
me, as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to 
stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let 
me beware of the sleek-faced hypocrisy which is armor-bearer to 
heresy and infidelity. Knowing the deceivableness of unrighteous- 
ness, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the designs of 
the enemy. The young man, void of understanding, was led astray 
by the kiss of a strange woman : may my soul be so graciously in- 
structed all this day, that "the much fair speech" of the world may 
have no effect upon me ! Holy Spirit, let me not, a poor, frail son 
of man, be betrayed with a kiss ! 

But what if I should be guilty of the same accursed sin as 
Judas, that son of perdition ? I have been baptized into the name 
of the Lord Jesus ; I am a member of His visible church ; I sit 
at the communion table : all these are so many kisses of my lips. 
Am I sincere in them? If not, I am a base traitor. Do I live m 
the world as carelessly as others do, and yet make a profession of 
being a follower of Jesus? Then I must expose religion to 
ridicule, and lead men to speak evil of the holy name by which I 
am called. Surely if I act thus inconsistently, I am a Judas, and 
it were better for me that I had never been born. Dare I hope that 
I am clear in this matter? Then, O Lord, keep me so. O Lord 
make me sincere and true. Preserve me from every false way. 
Never let me betray my Savior. I do love Thee, Jesus, and though 
I often grieve Thee, yet I would desire to abide faithful even unto 
death. O God, forbid that I should be a high-soaring professor, 
and then fall at last into the lake of fire, because I betrayed my 
Master with a kiss. 

JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, IF YE SEEK ME, LET THESE 
GO THEIR WAY. 

(JOHN 18:8.) 

Mark, dear reader, the care which Jesus manifested, even in 
His hour of trial, towards the sheep of His hand ! The ruling j>as- 



432 DITiy E HEALING. 

sion is strong in death. He resigns Himself to the enemy, but He 
interposes a word of power to set His disciples free. As to Him- 
self, like a sheep before her shearers, He is dumb, and openeth not 
His mouth, but for His disciples' sake He speaks with Almighty 
energy. Herein is love, constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. 
But is there not far more here than is to be found upon the surface : 
Have we not the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these 
words? The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep, 
and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, 
and justice demands that those for whom He stands a substitute 
should go their way. In the midst of Egypt's bondage, that voice 
rings as a word of power, "Let these go their zvay." Out of the 
slavery of sin and Satan the redeemed must come. In every cell 
of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, ''Let these go 
their way'' and forth come Despondency and j\Iuch-Af raid. Satan 
hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck of the 
fallen ; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the 
dead arise. Their zvay is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, 
and none shall dare to stay them in it. No lion shall be on their 
way, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon. "The hind of 
the morning'' has drawn the cruel hunters upon himself, and nov/ 
the most timid roes and hinds of the field may gaze at perfect peace 
among the lilies of his loves. The thunder-cloud has burst over 
the cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be 
smitten by the bolts of vengeance. Come, my heart, rejoice in the 
immunity which thy Redeemer has secured thee, and bless His 
name all the day, and every day. 



THEN ALL THE DISCIPLES FORSOOK Hni AND FLED. 

(matt. 26 :56.) 

He never deserted them, but they, in cowardly fear of their 
lives, fled from Him in the very beginning of His sufferings. This 
is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left 
to themselves ; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when 
the Avolf cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and 
had promised to die rather than leave their blaster; and yet they 
Avere seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels. It may 
be that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind 
to bear a trial for the Lord's sake, and I imagine myself to be 



i/ / A D A N D F A I T H C U R E . 433 

certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of 
myself, lest, having the same evil heart of unbelief, I should depart 
from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, 
and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal 
honor to have stood at Jesus' side right manfully : they fled from 
honor ; may I be kept from imitating them ! Where else could they 
have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call 
for twelve legions of angels ? They fled from their true safety. 
O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the 
coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the 
altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles, who were timid 
as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended 
upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my recreant 
spirit brave to confess my Lord, and witness for Llis truth. 

What anguish must have filled the Savior as He saw His 
friends so faithless ! This was one bitter ingredient in His cup ; 
but that cup is drained dry ; let me not put another drop in it. If I 
forsake my Lord, I shall crucify Him afresh, and put Him to an 
open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful ! 



HIM HATH GOD EXALTED. 
(acts 5 :31.) 

"Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and 
a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of 
sins." 

Jesus, our Lord, once crucified, dead and buried, now sits upon 
the throne of glory. The highest place that heaven afl^ords is His 
by undisputed right. It is sweet to remember that the exaltation 
of Christ in heaven is a representative exaltation. He is exalted 
at the Father's right hand, and though as Jehovah He has eminent 
glories, in which finite creatures cannot share, yet as the Mediator, 
the honors which Jesus wears in heaven are the heritage of all 
the saints. It is delightful to reflect how close is Christ's union 
with His people. We are actually one with Him ; we are members 
of His body; and His exaltation is onr exaltation. He will give us 
to sit upon His throne, even as He has overcome, and is set clown 
with His Father on His throne: He has a crown, and He gives us 
crowns, too : He has a throne, but He is not content with having- 



434 D IT ly E HEALING. 

a throne to Himself ; on His right hand there must be His queen, 
arrayed in "gold of Ophir." He cannot be glorified without His 
bride. Look up, believer, to Jesus now ; let the eye of your faith 
behold Him with many crowns upon His head ; and remember that 
you will one day be like Him, when you shall see Him as He is ; 
you shall not be so great as He is, you shall not be so divine, 
but still you shall, in a measure, share the same honors, and 
enjoy the same happiness and the same dignity which He pos- 
sesses. Be content to live unknown for a little while, and to walk 
your wxary way through the fields of poverty, or up the hills 
of affliction ; for by and by you shall reign with Christ, for He has 
"made us kings and priests unto God, and we shall reign forever 
and ever." Oh ! wonderful thought for the children of God ! 
We have Christ for our glorious representative in heaven's courts 
iiozv, and soon He will come and receive us to Himself, to be 
with Him there, to behold His glory, and to share in His joy. 




PETER'S DENIAL. 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE . 437 

PETER'S DENIAL. 

(matt. 26:31-35.) 

"Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because 
of Me this night : for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and 
the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 

''But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 

''Peter answered and said unto Him, Though all men shall be 
offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended. 

"Jesus said unto him. Verily I say unto thee, That this night, 
before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. 

"Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with Thee, yet will 
I not deny Thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." 

It has been thought by some, that, as long as Peter lived, the 
fountain of his tears began to flow whenever he remembered his 
denying his Lord. It is not unlikely that it was so, for his sin was 
very great, and grace in him had afterwards a perfect work. This 
same experience is common to all the redeemed family according 
to the degree in which the Spirit of God has removed the natural 
heart of stone. We, like Peter, remember our boastful promise : 
"Though all men shall forsake Thee, yet will not I." We eat our 
own words with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of 
what we vowed we would be, and of what we have been, we may 
weep whole showers of grief. He thought on his denying his Lord, 
the place in which he did it, the little cause which led him into such 
heinous sin, the oaths and blasphemies with which he sought to 
confirm his falsehood, and the dreadful hardness of heart which 
drove him to do so again and yet again. Can we, when we are 
reminded of our sins and their exceeding sinfulness, remain stolid 
and stubborn? Will we not make our house a Bochim, and cry 
unto the Lord for renewed assurances of pardoning love ? May 
we never take a dry-eyed look at sin, lest ere long we have a tongue 
parched in the flames of hell. Peter also thought upon his Masters 
look of love. The Lord followed up the cock's warning voice with 
an admonitory look of sorrow, pity, and love. That glance was 
never out of Peter's mind so long as he lived. It was far more 
effectual than ten thousand sermons would have been without the 
Spirit. The penitent apostle would be sure to weep when he 
recollected the Savior's full forgiveuess, which restored him to 
his former place. To think that we have oft"ended so kind and 



438 DIVINE H E ALl .Y G . 

good a Lord is more than sufficient reason for being constant 
weepers. Lord, smite our rock}^ hearts, and make the waters 
flow. 



I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE. 
(LUKE 22:31, 32.) 

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired 
to have you, that he may sift yon as wheat : 

"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when 
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." 

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- 
ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us ; 
and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by 
His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the 
word of comfort addressed to Peter — "Simon, Simon, Satan hath 
desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat ; but" — what ? 
"But go and pray for yourself?" That would be good advice, but 
it is not so written. Neither does He say, "But I will keep you 
watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great bless- 
ing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." 
We little know what we owe to our Savior's prayers. When we 
reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way 
whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him 
who, before the eternal throne undid the mischief which Satan was 
doing upon earth. 



CHRIST BUFFETED AND MOCKED IN THE HOUSE 
OF CAIAPHAS. 

(matt. 26:67, 68.) ' 

"Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him ; and others 
smote Him with the palms of their hands. 

"Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote 
thee?" 

He had been all night in agony. He had spent the early morn- 
ing at the hall of Caiaphas. He had been hurried from Caiaphas 
to Pilate, friom Pilate to Herod and from Herod back again to Pilate. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 439 

He had, therefore, but Httle strength left, and yet neither refresh- 
ment nor rest was permitted Him. They were eager for His blood, 
and therefore led Him out to die, loaded with the cross. O 
dolorous procession ! Well may Salem's daughters weep. Dear 
reader, do thou weep also. 

What learn we here as we see our blessed Lord led forth ? Do 
we not perceive that truth which was set forth in shadow by the 
scapegoat? Did not the high-priest bring the scapegoat, 
and put both his hands upon its head, confessing the 
sins of the people, that thus those sins might be laid upon the goat, 
and cease from the people ? Then the goat was led away by a fit 
man into the wilderness, and it carried away the sins of the 
people ; so that, if they were sought for, they could not be found. 
Now we see Jesus brought before the priests and rulers, who pro- 
nounce Him guilty. God Himself imputes our sins to Him ; "the 
Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" ; "He was made 
sin for us" ; and, as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our sin 
upon His shoulders, represented by the cross, we see the great 
Scapegoat led away by the appointed officers of justice. Be- 
loved, can you feel assured that He carried your sin? As you look 
at the cross upon His shoulders, does it represent your sin ? 



I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. 

(gal. 2:20.) 

The Lord Jesus Christ acted in what He did as a great public 
representative person, and His dying upon the cross was the virtual 
dying of all His people. Then all His saints rendered unto justice 
what was due, and made an expiation to divine vengeance for all 
their sins. The apostle of the Gentiles delighted to think that as 
one of Christ's chosen people, he died upon the cross in Christ. He 
did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, 
resting his hope upon it. He believed that by virtue of Christ's 
death, he had satisfied divine justice, and found reconciliation 
with God. Beloved, what a blessed thing it is when the soul can, 
as it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ, and feel. "I am 
dead ; the law has slain me, and I am therefore free from its power, 
because in my Surety I have borne the curse, and in the person of 
mv Substitute the whole that the law could do. bv wav of con- 



440 BIT ly E H E ALIN G . 

demnation, has been executed upon me, for I am crucified with 
Christ." 

But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in 
Christ's death, and trusted in it, but he actually felt its power in 
himself in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature. 
When he saw the pleasures of sin, he said, "I cannot enjoy these : I 
am dead to them." Such is the experience of every true Chris- 
tian. Having- received Christ, he is to this world as one who is 
utterly dead. Yet, while conscious of death to the world, he can, 
at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, "Nevertheless, I live." 
He is fully alive to God. The Christian's life is a matchless riddle. 
No worldling can comprehend it ; even the believer himself cannot 
understand it. Dead, yet alive ! crucified with Christ, and yet at 
the same time risen with Christ in newness of life ! Union with 
the suffering, bleeding Savior, and death to the world and sin, 
are soul-cheering things. Oh for more enjoyment of them ! 




CHRIST IS SCOURGED. 



M I X D AN D FAIT H C U R E . 443 

CHRIST IS SCOURGED. 
(JOHN 19 :l-3.) 

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him. 

"And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put if on His 
head, and they put on Him a purple robe, 

"And said, Hail, King oi the Jews ! and they smote Him with 
their hands." 

Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The 
Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It 
was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were intertwisted 
every here and there among the sinews ; so that every time the 
lash came down these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, 
and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Savior was, no doubt, 
bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten be- 
fore ; but this of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe 
of His flagellations. Dear friends, stand here and weep over His 
poor stricken body. Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon Him 
without tears, as He stands before you in the mirror of agonizing 
love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence, and red as the 
rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and 
blessed healing which His stripes have wrought in us, does not 
our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved 
our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now 
within our bosoms. 

See how the patient Jesus stands, 

Insulted in His lowest case ! 
Sinners have bound the Almighty's hands, 

And spit in their Creator's face. 

With thorns His temples gored and gashed 
Send streams of blood from every part ; 

His back with knotted scourges lashed. 

But sharper scourges tear His heart. 



444 D IT IS E H E ALIX G 



THE SIXXER AWAKEXED. 

The sinner awakened by the Hoi}- Spirit wih find the source 
of his stream of sorrow not on the thorn-clad sides of Sinai, but 
on the grassy mound of Calvary. His cry will be, "O sin, I 
hate thee, for thou didst murder my Lord" ; and his mournful dirge 
over his crucified Redeemer will be in plaintive words : 

■'Twas you, m}- sins, my cruel sins, 

His chief tormentors were ; 
Each of my crimes became a nail. 

And ur.belief the spear. 

'Twas you that puU'd the vengeance down 

Upon His guiltless head : 
Break, break, my heart, oh burst, mine eyes. 

And let my sorrows bleed. 

Do believe it. Christian, that thy sin is a condemned thing. It 
may kick and struggle, but it is doomed to die. God has written 
condemnation across its brow ; Christ has crucified it ; nailing it to 
His cross. Go now and mortify it, and the Lord help you to live 
to His praise. Sin, with all its guilt, shame and fear, is gone. 



Here's pardon for transgressions past. 
It matters not how black their cast. 
And, O my soul, with wonder view 
For sins to come here's pardon, too. 




'PUT UPON HIS HEAD A CROWN OF THORNS. 



M IN D AND FAITH CURE. 447 

PUT UPON HIS HEAD A CROWN OF THORNS. 
(matt. 27:26-31.) 

"Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had 
scourged Jesus, he dehvered Him to be crucified. 

"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common 
hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 

"And they stripped Him," and put on Him a scarlet robe. 

"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it 
upon His head, and a reed in His right hand : and they bowed the 
knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the 
Jews ! 

■ "And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him 
on the head. 

"And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe 
off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him 
away to crucify Him.'' 

Mockery was a great ingredient in our Lord's woe. Judas 
mocked Him in the garden ; the chief priests and scribes laughed 
Him to scorn ; Herod set Him at naught ; the servants and soldiers 
jeered at Him, and brutally insulted Him ; Pilate and his guards 
ridiculed His royalty ; and on the tree all sorts of horrid jests and 
hideous taunts were hurled at Him. Ridicule is always hard to 
bear ; but when we are in intense pain it is so heartless, so cruel, 
that it cuts us to the quick. Imagine the Savior crucified, racked 
with anguish far beyond all mortal guess, and then picture that 
motley multitude, all wagging their heads or thrusting out the lip 
in bitterest contempt of one poor suffering victim. ! Surely there 
must have been something more in the crucified One than they 
could see, or else such a great and mingled crowd would not 
unanimously have honored Him with such contempt. Was it not 
evil confessing, in the very moment of its greatest apparent 
triumph, that after all it could do no more than mock at that 
victorious goodness which was then reigning on the cross ^ 
O Jesus, "despised and rejected of men," how couldst Thou die 
for men who treated Thee so ill? Herein is love amazing, love 
divine, yea, love beyond degree. We, too, have despised Thee in 
the days of our unregeneracy, and even since our new birth we 
have set the world on high in our hearts, and yet Thou bleedest to 
heal our wounds, and diest to give us life. O that we could 
set Thee on a glorious high throne in all men's hearts ! We 



448 D in X E H E ALI X G . 

would ring out Thy praises over land and sea till men should as 
universally adore as once they did unanimously reject. 

Thy creatures wrong Thee, O Thou sovereign Good. 
Thou art not loved, because not understood : 
This grieves me most, that vain pursuits beguile 
Ungrateful men, regardless of Thy smile, 

The hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary ; the house of consola- 
tion is built with the wood of the cross ; the temple of heavenly 
blessing is founded upon the riven rock — riven by the spear which 
pierced His side. No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the 
soul like Calvary's tragedy. 

Is it not strange, the darkest hour 

That ever dawned on sinful earth 

Should touch the heart with softer power, 
For comfort, than an angel's mirth? 

That to the cross the mourner's eye should turn. 

Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn ? 

Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and 
every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the 
once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace hath dug a foun- 
tain which ever gusheth with w^aters pure as crystal, each drop 
capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had 
your seasons of conflict will confess that it was not at Olivet that 
you ever found comfort, nor on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; 
but Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha have been the means of 
comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken 
away the bitters of your life ; the scourge of Gabbatha has often 
scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary have put 
all other groans to flight. Thus Calvary yields us comfort rare 
and rich. We never should have known Christ's love in all its 
heights and depths if He had not died ; nor could we guess the 
Father's deep affection if He had not given His Son to die. The 
common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea shell 
when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it 
came ; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at 
every-day blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He 
who would know love, let him retire to Calvary and see the Man 
of sorrows die. 




BEHOLD THE MAN." 



M[yD AND FAITH CURE. 451 

BEHOLD THE MAN. 
(JOHN 19:5.) 

Ye that pass by, behold the Man — 

The Man of griefs — condemn'd for you ; 

The Lamb of God, for sinners slain, 
Weeping to Calvary pursue. 

To us our own Barabbas give — 

Away with Him — (they loudly cry) 

Away with Him, not fit to live — 
The vile seducer crucify ! 

His sacred limbs they stretch, they tear ; 

With nails they fasten to the wood 
His sacred limbs, exposed and bare, 

Or only cover'd with His blood. 

Behold His temples, crown'd with thorn ; 

His bleeding hands, extended wide ; 
His streaming feet, transfix'd and torn ; 

The fountain gushing from His side ! 

O Thou dear suff'ring Son of God, 

How doth Thy heart to sinners move ; 

Sprinkle on us Thy precious blood. 

And melt us with Thy dying love. 

If there be one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes 
the joy and comfort of His people, it is where He plunged deepest 
into the depths of woe. Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the 
Man in the garden of Gethsemane ; behold His heart so brimming 
with love He cannot hold it in — so full of sorrow that it must find 
a vent. Behold the bloody sweat as it distills from every pore of 
His body, and falls upon the ground. Behold the Man as they 
drive the nails into His hands and feet. Look up, repenting sin- 
ners, and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord. ]\Iark 
Him, as the ruby drops stand on the thorn-crown, and adorn 
with priceless gems the diadem of the King of Misery. Behold 
the Man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out 



452 DIYIISEEEALI zA" G . 

like water and brought into the dust of death ; God hath forsaken 
Him, and hell compasseth Him about. Behold and see : was there 
ever sorrow like unto His sorrow that is done unto Him ? All ye 
that pass by, draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief, 
unique, unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels, a prodigy un- 
matched. Behold the Emperor of Woe, who had no equal or 
rival in His agonies ! Gaze upon Him, ye mourners, for if there be 
not consolation in a crucified Christ, there is no joy in earth or 
heaven. If in the ransom price of His blood there be not hope, ye 
harps of heaven, there is no joy in you, and the right hand of God 
shall know no pleasures forevermore. We have only to sit more 
continually at the cross-foot to be less troubled with our doubts 
and woes. We have but to see His sorrows, and our sorrows we 
should be ashamed to mention ; we have but to gaze into his 
w^ounds, and heal our own. If we would live aright, it will be by 
the contemplation of His death ; if we would rise to dignity, it 
must be by considering His humiliation and his sorrow. 

Behold how every wound of His 

A precious balm distills. 
Which heals the scars that sin had made, 

And cures all mortal ills. 

Those wounds are mouths that preach His grace ; 

The ensigns of his love ; 
The seals of our expected bliss 

In paradise above. 

We here behold the Savior in the depth of His sorrows. No other 
place so well shows the griefs of Christ as Calvary, and no other 
moment at Calvary is so full of agony as that in which His cry 
rends the air — ''My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" 
At this moment physical weakness was united with acute mental 
torture from the shame and ignominy through which He had to 
pass ; and to make His grief culminate with emphasis. He suffered 
spiritual agony surpassing all expression, resulting from the de- 
parture of His Father's presence. This was the black midnight 
of His horror ; then it was that He descended the abyss of suffer- 
ing. No man can enter into the full meaning of these words. 
Some of us think at times that ive could cry, "My God, my God, 
whv hast Thou forsaken me?" There are seasons when the 



MIND AXD FAITH CURE. 453 

brightness of our Father's smile is ecHpsed by clouds and dark- 
ness ; but let us remember that God never does really forsake us. 
It is only a seeming forsaking with us, but in Christ's case it was 
a real forsaking. We grieve at a little withdrawal of our Father's 
love ; but the real turning away of God's face from His Son, who 
shall calculate how deep the agony which is caused Him? 

In our case, our cry is often dictated by unbelief : in His case, 
it was the utterance of a dreadful fact, for God had really turned 
away from Him for a season. O thou poor, distressed soul, who 
once lived in the sunshine of God's face, but art now in darkness, 
remember that He has not really forsaken thee. God in the clouds 
is as much our God as when He shines forth in all the lustre of 
His grace; but since even the thought that He has forsaken us 
gives us agony, what must the woe of the Savior have been when 
He exclaimed, ''My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 

Did earth or heaven ever behold a sadder spectacle of woe ? In 
soul and body, our Lord felt Himself to be weak as water poured 
upon the ground. The placing of the cross in its socket harl 
shaken Him with great violence, had strained all the ligaments, 
pained every nerve, and more or less dislocated all His bones. 
Burdened with His own weight, the august Sufferer felt the 
strain increasing every moment of those six long hours. His sense 
of faintness and general weakness were overpowering ; while to 
His own consciousness He became nothing but a mass of misery 
and swooning sickness. When Daniel saw the great vision, he 
thus describes his sensations : "There remained no strength in 
me, for my vigor was turned into corruption, and I retained no 
strength:" how much more faint must have been our greater 
Prophet when He saw the dread vision of the wrath of God, and 
felt it in His own soul ! To us, sensations such as our Lord en- 
dured would have been insupportable, and kind unconsciousness 
would have come to our rescue ; but in His case, He was wounded, 
and felt the sword ; He drained the cup and tasted every drop. 

O King of Grief ! ( a title strange, yet true. 

To Thee of all kings only due,) 
O King of Wounds ! how shall I grieve for Thee. 

Who in all grief preventest me ! 

As we kneel before our now ascended Savior's throne, let us 
remember well the way by which He prepared it as a throne of 



454 DiriXE HEALIXG. , 

grace for us : let us in spirit drink of His cup, that we may be 
strengthened for our hour of heaviness whenever it may come. 
In His natural body every member suffered, and so must it be 
in the spiritual ; but as out of all His griefs and woes His body 
came forth uninjured to glory and power, even so shall His mys- 
tical body come through the furnace with not so much as the smel) 
of fire upon it. 

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made 
perfect through suffering ; therefore we who are sinful, and who 
are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to 
pass through suffering, too. Shall the head be crowned with 
thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon 
the dainty lap of ease? Alust Christ pass through seas of His 
own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod 
in silver slippers? Xo, our Master's experience teaches us that 
suft'ering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must nor, 
would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting 
thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suf- 
fering" — it is, that He can have complete sympathy with us. "He 
is not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feelings of 
our infirmities." In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustain- 
ing power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for 
Jesus suffered, and He suff'ers in me now : He sympathizes with 
me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought 
in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as 
you follow in His steps. Find a sweet support in His sympathy : 
and remember that to suffer is an honorable thing — to suffer for 
Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted 
worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to 
suft'er for Christ, to suft'er zvifli Christ, just so far does He honor 
us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of 
the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sor- 
rows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honored. 
Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and 
troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.'' 




ON HIM THEY LAID THE CROSS, THAT HE MIGHT 
BEAR IT AFTER JESUS." 



IlIND AND FAITH CURE. 457 

ON HIM THEY LAID THE CROSS, THAT HE MIGHT 
BEAR IT AETER JESUS. 

(LUKE 23 :2(i.) 

"And as they led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, 
a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the 
cross, that he might bear it after Jesus." 

We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of 
the church throughout all generations ; she is the cross-bearer after 
Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to ex- 
clude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape 
it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but 
not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer. 

But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, 
as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross ivhich zve carry. 
When you arc molested for your piety, when your religion brings 
the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not yo^ir 
cross, it is Chris fs cross ; and how delightful it is to carry the cross 
of our Lord Jesus ! 

You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company ; 
your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark 
of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis His 
cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. 
Take up your cross daily, and follow Him. 

Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It 
is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the 
cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible ; Christ may 
have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and 
Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you ; 
you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier 
end. 

And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a -c'cry 
little while, it gave him lasting honor. Even so the cross zve 
carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive 
the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and. in- 
stead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out 
for us ''a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 



458 Din XE HEALING 



KING OF KIXGS AXD LORD OF LORDS. 

The head that once was crown'd with thorns, 

Is crown 'd with glory now ; 
A royal diadem adorns 

The mighty A'ictor's brow. 

The highest place that heaven affords, 

Is to our Jesus given ; 
The King of kings, and Lord of lords. 

He reigns o'er earth and heaven — 

The joy of all who dwell above. 

The joy of all below, 
To whom He manifests His love 

And grants His name to know. 

To them the cross, with all its shame. 

With all its grace, is given ; 
Their name — an everlasting name. 

Their joy — the joy of heaven. 

They suffer with their Lord below — 

They reign with Him above ; 
Their everlasting joy to know 

The mvst'rv of His love. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 461 



THEY GAVE HIM A PROCESSION OF HONOR. 

(1) They gave Him a procession of honor, in which Roman 
legionaries, Jewish priests, men and women, took a part, He 
Himself bearing His cross. This is the triumph which the world 
awards to Him who comes to overthrow man's direst foes. Derisive 
shouts are His only acclamations, and cruel taunts His only 
paeans of praise. (2) They presented Him with the wine of honor. 
Instead of a golden cup of generous wine, they offered Him the 
criminal's stupefying death-draught, which He refused because 
He would preserve an uninjured taste wherewith to taste of death ; 
and afterwards when He cried, 'T thirst," they gave Him vinegar 
mixed with gall, thrust to His mouth upon a sponge. Oh ! 
wretched, detestable inhospitality to the King's Son. (3) He 
was provided with a guard of honor, who showed their esteem for 
Him by gambling over His garments, which they had seized as 
their booty. Such was the body-guard of the adored of heaven ;, 
a quaternion of brutal gamblers. (4) A throne of honor was 
found for Him upon the bloody tree ; no easier place of rest 
would rebel men yield to their liege Lord. The cross was, in fact, 
the full expression of the world's feeling towards Him. "There,'' 
they seemed to say, "Thou Son of God, this is the manner in 
which God Himself should be treated, could we reach Him." 
(5) The title of honor was nominally "King of the Jews," but that 
the blinded nation distinctly repudiated, and really called Him 
"King of thieves," by preferring Barabbas, and by placing Jesus in 
the place of highest shame between two thieves. His glory was tJius 
in all things turned into shame by the sons of men, but it shall yet 
gladden the eyes of saints and angels, world without end. 

At the cross, her station keeping. 
Stood the mournful mother, weeping. 

Close to Jesus to the last ; 
Through her heart. His sorrow sharing, 
All His bitter anguish hearing. 

Now at length the sword had passed. 



462 D IT IX E H E ALiy G . 

THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALE^I. 
(LUKE 23:27, 28.) 

"And there followed Him a great company of people, and of 
women, w^hich also bewailed and lamented Him. 

"And Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, 
weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children." 

Amid the rabble rout which hounded the Redeemer to His 
doom, there were some gracious souls whose bitter anguish sought 
vent in wailing and lamentations — fit music to accompany that 
march of woe. See the Savior bearing His cross to Calvary. His 
mother joins the godly women and weeps with them; for, indeed, 
there is true cause for grief — cause lying deeper than those mourn- 
ing women thought. They bewailed innocence maltreated, good- 
ness persecuted, love bleeding, meekness about to die ; but my 
heart has a deeper and more bitter cause to mourn. My sins were 
the scourges which lacerated those blessed shoulders, and crowned 
with thorns those bleeding browns : my sins cried, "Crucify Him ! 
crucify Him !" and laid the cross upon His gracious shoulders. 
His being led forth to die is sorrow enough for one eternity : 

Love and grief my heart dividing. 

With my tears His feet I'll lave — 

Constant still in heart abiding, 

Weep for Him who died to save. 




THE FIRST NAIL DRIVEN. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 465 



THE FIRST NAIL DRIVEN, 

In the garden see Him insulted and bound and before the 
High Priest struck, buffeted and smitten at every stage of His 
passion I see Him in the hands of the rude soldiery. The ragged 
thorns are twined into a crown and crushed upon His head, until 
every thorn has made a wound and turned its point against the 
cranium. Now the blood oozes from the punctures and trickles 
down His face and head, until His hair and beard are red with 
blood and matted with gore. He is now led out to be scourged. 
His clothing being all removed, He is bound in a stooping posture 
to the block with the skin of the naked back stretched tightly and 
fully exposed to the fearful lash. Then His tormentors seize their 
heavy whips of twisted leather thongs, with bits of iron woven into 
the ends of the lashes to mcrease the tension and render the blows 
more fearful ; now they descend upon the fair white surface of 
the Savior's person ; every blow cleaves the skin and buries into 
the flesh and is followed by ripples of blood. Others have fainted 
and died under the infliction, but the Man of Sorrows survives for 
greater pain. Then, with the whole surface of His back cut into 
flakes of raw, gory, dripping flesh, His clothing is replaced and 
He compelled to bear the cross on which He must end His agony. 
The heavy wood is laid upon His burning shoulders, until, faint- 
ing with fatigue and loss of blood, He sinks to the earth witli 
His burden, from which the stripes of His enemies cannot raise 
Him. So another bears the cross, while Jesus, with blood dyeing 
His footsteps, is pressed forward to the place of execution. Gol- 
gotha is reached. He, in the midst of His enemies, sweating 
and bleeding, toils to the top. Here He is again stripped, the 
outer garment is removed, then the inner vesture, glued fast to 
His hurts by gore, is rudely torn off, leaving His lacerated person 
with a harsh ripping sound, bringing with it skin and flesh, leaving 
the raw, gaping wounds fresh exposed and bleeding to the sun 
and air, adding agony to agony. 

O Lamb of God, was ever pain — 
Was ever love like Thine? 

There lies the heavy tree, and He, refusing all opiates, is taken 
by the soldiers and thrown on His back upon the cross. Seizing 



466 DIVINE HEALING. 

His hands they draw them out to their farthest extent; then a 
soldier, with crushing weight puts his knee on the wrist to hold it 
in position, then opens the palm, adjusts the nail with his left, and, 
with a ponderous hammer in the right, drives the nail through the 
bones and muscles and sinews and nerves, unmindful of the groans 
that escape with every lacerating blow. Now the feet are drawn 
down and confined by a huge spike driven crushing through the 
insteps, while every tendon and nerve quivers with the torture. 
Others have been excavating for the insertion of the cross. Now 
they raise it and with all their force thrust it into the excavation. 
O, awful agony ! All the joints seem wrenched asunder by the 
jar of the falling cross ! The nails have torn gaping rents in His 
hands. The spike-head is drawn far into His feet and can be 
heard grating amongst the bones. On account of the unnatural 
position, and the violent extension of the arms, the slightest motion 
produced the most painful sensations all through the body, but 
especially on the mangled back and the torn members which were 
subject to acute inflammation and constantly increasing pain. The 
agony was increased by an intolerable thirst. The obstruction of 
the circulation from the violent tension caused the blood to rush 
to the head, occasioning a dreadful headache. The blood in the 
lungs accumulated, rendering breathing difficult, pressing the 
heart and swelling the veins, racking His whole being with ter- 
rible anguish. Loss of blood through the open wounds would 
have lessened the pain, but the blood clotted and ceased flowing. 

More, more than all, Christ sustained not only His weight on 
these pierced members, but He bore our sins in His own body on 
the tYP^'t. Like a great mountain, they rested upon Him, darkening 
heavttu to His vision and preventing the ministration of angels 
to His relief. Ah, sinner. His burden on the cross was heavy 
enough without your sins and mine, but they are there. They gave 
weight to the hammer that drove the nails, and now how they gall 
His lacerated person ; how the weight of them stretches and tears 
and parts the quivering nerves and sinews of His feet and hands ! 

List to His dying cries of anguish and remember that they 
were pressed out by your sins and mine. 

O sinner, see Him. lifted up, 

On the cross, on the cross, 
For you He drinks the bitter cup. 

On the cross, on the cross. 



MIND A N D FAITH CURE. 467 

Behold the Lamb of God as He hangs bleeding, groaning and 
dying. The iron has entered His soul, which is now being made 
an offering for every soul of man, there, there, between the male- 
factors, 

See Him stretched upon the tree 

In that suffering station, 
Bearing all the wrath of God, 

To procure salvation. 

Aye, look, for never before has a scene like this been witnessed. 
It is none other than the God of heaven suffering, Deity in agony, 
the Fountain of life expiring in death. 

I asked the heavens what foe to God had done 

This unexampled deed ; the heavens exclaimed — 

'Twas man, and we in horror snatched the sun 
From such a spectacle of guilt and shame. 

I asked the sea, the sea in fury boiled, 

And answered with his voice of storms, 'twas man. 
My waves in panic at his crime recoiled. 

Disclosed the abyss and from the center ran. 

I asked the earth, the earth replied aghast 

'Twas man, and such strange pangs my bosom rent 

That still I groan and shudder at the past. 

To many a gay, smiling, thoughtless man, I went. 

And asked him next, he turned a scornful eye, 

Shook his proud head and deigned me no reply. 




A LESSON OF THE CRUCIFIXION. 



MIND AXD FAITH CURE. 471 



A LESSON OF THE CRUCIFIXION. 

Let us gather about the cross and learn its teachings of God's 
love to guilty man and adore the wisdom that conceived the 
wondrous plan of His redemption. Come learn the lesson of our 
pollution from heaven's own appraisement and the ransom paid. 
Here learn to bewail our ingratitude which has ''crucified the Son 
of God afresh and put Him to an open shame" ; and weep for our 
sins where blood was spilt for their pardon. 

O how can we delay when Christ made haste and delayed not to 
suffer for us. 

Come, saints, and drop a tear or two 

For Him who groaned beneath our load, 

He shed a thousand drops for you, 

A thousand drops of richer blood. 

"O, if we will but barken in this, our day, then shall our peace 
be as a river and our righteousness as the waves of the sea." 

But in the enjoyment of the fruits of thy passion, O Jesus, my 
crucified, my bleeding, my dying Savior, may I never forget that 
I have destroyed myself, but found mercy in Thee, may I always 
remember that 

Thy works, not mine, O Christ, 

Speak gladness to this heart — 
They tell me all is done, 

They bid my fears depart. 

Thy pains, not mine, O Christ, 

Upon the shameful tree , 
Have paid the law's full price, 

And purchased peace for me. 

Thy tears, not mine, O Christ, 

Have wept my guilt away, 
And turned this night of mine. 

Into a blessed day. 

Thy bonds, not mine, O Christ, 

Unbind me of my chain. 
And break my prison doors, 

Ne'er to be barred again. 



472 DIVINE HEALING. 

Thy wounds, not mine, O Christ, 
Can heal my bruised soul ; 

Thy stripes, not mine, contain 

The balm that makes me whole. 

Thy blood, not mine, O Christ. 

Thy blood so freely spilt, 
Can blanch my blackest stains. 

And purge away my guilt. 

Thy cross, not mine, O Christ, 
Has borne the awful load 

Of sin, that none in Heaven, 

Or earth, could bear but God. 

Thy death, not mine, O Christ, 
Has paid the ransom due. 

Ten thousand deaths like mine, 

Would have been all too few. 

Thy righteousness, not mine, O Christ, 

Alone can cover me. 
No righteousness avails, 

Save that which is of Thee. 

Thy righteousness alone, 

Can clothe and beautify; 

I wrap it round my soul, 
In this ril live and die. 




HIS DYING CRY. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 475 



HIS DYING CRY. 

'Tis finish'd ! so the Savior said, 
And meekly bow'd His dying head : 
'Tis finish'd ! yes, the race is run ; 
The battle fought ; the vict'ry won. 

'Tis finish'd ! let the joyful sound 

Be heard the spacious earth around : 

'Tis finish'd ! let the echo fly 

Through heaven and hell, through earth and sky. 

Our Redeemer's glorious cry of 'Tt is finished" was the death- 
knell of all the adversaries of His people, the breaking of ''the ar- 
rows of the bow, the shield, the sword, and the battle." Behold the 
hero of Golgotha using His cross as an anvil, and His woes as a 
hammer, dashing to shivers bundle after bundle of our sins, those 
poisoned "arrows of the bow" ; trampling on every indictment, de- 
stroying every accusation. What glorious blows the mighty 
Breaker gives with a hammer far more ponderous than the fabled 
weapon of Thor ! How the diabolical darts fly to fragments, 
and the infernal bucklers are broken like potters' vessels ! Be- 
hold, He draws from its sheath of hellish workmanship the dread 
sword of Satanic power ! He snaps it across His knee, as a man 
breaks the dry wood of a fagot, and casts it into the fire. Beloved, 
no sin of a believer can now be an arrow mortally to wound him, 
no condemnation can now be a sword to kill him, for the punish- 
ment of our sin was borne by Christ, a full atonement was made 
for all our iniquities by our blessed Substitute and Surety. Who 
now accuseth? Who now condemneth? Christ hath died, yea, 
rather hath risen again. Jesus has emptied the quivers of hell, has 
quenched every fiery dart, and broken off the head of every arrow 
of wrath ; the ground is strewn with the splinters and relics of 
the weapons of hell's warfare, which are only visible to us to 
remind us of our former danger, and of our great deliverance. 
Sin hath no more dominion over us. Jesus has made an end of it, 
and put it away forever. O thou enemy, destructions are come to 
a perpetual end. Talk ye of all the wondrous works of the Lord, 
ye who make mention of His name ; keep not silence, neither by 
day, nor when the sun goeth to his rest. Bless the Lord, O my 
soul. 



476 DiriXEHEALIXG 



IT IS FINISHED. 

Hark ! the voice of love and mercy 
Sounds aloud from Calvary ; 

See ! it rends the rocks asunder, 

Shakes the earth, and veils the sky 

It is finish'd — 
Hear the dying Savior cry. 

It is finish 'd ! O Avhat pleasure 

Do these precious words afford I 

Heavenly blessings, without measure. 
Flow to us from Christ the Lord : 

It is finished — 
Saints, the dying words record. 

Tune your harps anew, ye seraphs ; 

Join to sing the pleasing theme ; 
All on earth, and all in heaven. 

Join to praise Immanuel's name ; 
It is finish'd — 

Glory to the bleeding Famb. 




THE EARTHQUAKE. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 479 

THE EARTHQUAKE. 

(matt. 27:51-60.) 

''And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from 
the top to the bottom ; and the earth did quake, and the rocks 
rent: 

"And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints 
which slept, arose, 

''And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went 
into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 

"When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea 
named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple : 

"He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then 
Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 

"And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a 
clean linen cloth, 

"And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in 
the rock ; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, 
and departed." 

No mean miracle was wrought in the rending of so strong and 
thick a veil ; but it was not intended merely as a display of power 
— many lessons were herein taught us. The old lazv of ordinances 
was put away, and like a worn-out vesture, rent and laid aside. 
When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all 
fulfilled in Him, and therefore the place of their presentation was 
marked with an evident token of decay. That rent also revealed 
all the hidden things of the old dispensation : the mercy-seat could 
now be seen, and the glory of God gleamed forth above it. By 
the death of our Lord Jesus we have a clear revelation of God, 
for He was "not as Moses, who put a veil over his face." Life 
and immortality are now brought to light, and things which have 
been hidden since the foundation of the world are manifest in 
Him. The annual ceremony of atonement zvas thus abolished. 
The atoning blood, which was once every year sprinkled within the 
veil, zvas nozv offered once for all by the great High Priest, and 
therefore the place of the symbolical rite was broken up. No 
blood of bullocks or of lambs is needed now, for Jesus has entered 
within the veil with His own blood. 



480 BIT I N E H EALIX G. 

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST. 

(1 PETER 1 :19.) 

Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands, and feet, and 
side, all distilling crimson streams of precious blood. It is 
''precious" because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy. By it 
the sins of Christ's people are atoned for ; they are redeemed from 
under the law ; they are reconciled to God, made one with Him. 
Christ's blood is also ''precious" in its cleansing pozver; it "cleans- 
eth from all sin." "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 
as white as snow." Through Jesus' blood there is not a spot left 
upon any believer; no wrinkle, nor any such thing, remains. O 
precious blood, which makes us clean, removing the stains of 
abundant iniquity, and permitting us to stand accepted in the Be- 
loved, notwithstanding the many ways in which we have rebelled 
against our God ! The blood of Christ is likewise "precious" in 
its preserving power. We are safe from the destroying angel 
under the sprinkled blood. Remember, it is God's seeing the blood 
vv^hich is the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort 
for us when the eye of faith is dim, for God's eye is still the same. 
The blood of Christ is "precious" also in its sanctifying influence. 
The same blood which justifies by taking away sin, does, in after- 
action, quicken the new nature, and lead it onward to subdue sin, 
and to follow out the commands of God. There is no motive for 
holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus. 
And "precious," unspeakably precious, is this blood, because it 
has an overcoming pozver. It is written, "They overcame througn 
the blood of the Lamb." How could they do otherwise? He who 
fights with the precious blood of Jesus fights with a weapon which 
cannot know defeat. The blood of Jesus ! Sin dies at its presence, 
death ceases to be death ; heaven's gates are opened. The blood 
of Jesus ! We shall march on, conquering and to conquer, so long 
as we can trust its power ! 




EASTER DAY, THE RESURRECTION. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 483 

EASTER DAY, THE RESURRECTION. 

(matt. 28:4-6.) 

Morning breaks upon the tomb, 
Jesus scatters all its gloom ; 
Day of triumph through the skies — 
See the glorious Savior rise ! 

Ye, who are of death afraid, 
Triumph in the scattered shade; 
Drive your anxious cares away ; 
See the place where Jesus lay ! 

Christian ! dry your flowing tears. 
Chase your unbelieving fears ; 
Look on His deserted grave; 
Doubt no more His power to save. 

"And for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as 
dead men. 

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear 
not ye : for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 

"He is not here : for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the 
place where the Lord lay." 

Lo, the angelic bands 

In full assembly meet, 
To wait His high commands, 

And worship at His feet : 
Joyful they come, and wing their way, 
From realms of day, to such a tomb. 

Then back to heaven they fly, 

And the glad tidings bear; 
Hark, as they soar on high. 

What music fills the air: 
Their anthems say, "Jesus, who bled, 
Hath left the dead ; He rose todav." 



484 DIYINE HEALING. 

Ye mortals, catch the sound, 

Redeemed by Him from hell ; 
And send the echo round 

The globe on which you dwell : 
Transported cry, "Jesus, who bled, 
Hath left the dead, no more to die." 

All hail, triumphant Lord, 

Who savest with Thy blood ! 
Wide be Thy name adored. 

Thou rising, reigning God. 
With Thee we rise, with Thee we reign. 
And empires gain beyond the skies. 

REV. PHILIP DODDRIDGE. 

OH, DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? 

(1 COR. 15 :55, d6.) 

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 
"The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law.'' 

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. 

'Tn the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first 
day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see 
the sepulchre. 

"And, behold, there was a great earthquake : for the angel of 
the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the 
stone from the door, and sat upon it. 

"His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white 
as snow : 

"And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead 
men. 

"And the angel answered and said unto the women. Fear not 
ye : for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 

"He is not here : for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the 
place where the Lord lay. 

"And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the 
dead ; and, behold. He goeth before you into Galilee ; there shall ye 
see Him : lo, I have told vou. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 485 

*'And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and 
great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word." 

He dies ! the Friend of sinners dies ! 

Lo ! Salem's daughters weep around ; 
A solemn darkness veils the skies, 

A sudden trembling shakes the ground : 
Come, saints, and drop a tear or two 

For Him who groan'd beneath your load ; 
He shed a thousand drops for you — 

A thousand drops of richest blood. 

Here's love and grief beyond degree : 

The Lord of Glory dies for Man ! 
But, lo ! what sudden joy we see : 

Jesus, the dead, revives again. 
The rising God forsakes the tomb ; 

(In vain the tomb forbids His rise;) 
Cherubic legions guard Him home. 

And shout Him welcome to the skies. 

Break off your tears, ye saints, and tell 

How high your great Deliv'rer reigns ; 
Sing how He spoil'd the hosts of hell. 

And led the monster death in chains : 
Say, Live forever, wondrous King ! 

Born to redeem, and strong to save ; 
Then ask the monster, Where's thy sting ? 

And, Where's thy vict'ry, boasting grave ? 

The whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that 
''Christ is risen from the dead" ; for, "if Christ be not risen, then is 
our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain : ye are yet in your 
sins." The divinity of Christ finds its surest proof in His resurrec- 
tion, since He was ''declared to be the Son of God with power, ac- 
cording to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." 
It would not be unreasonable to doubt His deity if He had not 
risen. Morover, Christ's sovereignty depends upon His resurrec- 
tion, "for to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that 
He might be Lord both of the dead and living." Again, our 
justification, that choice blessing of the covenant, is linked with 



486 DIT I^^ E HEALING. 

Christ's triumphant victory over death and the grave ; for "He 
was deUvered for our offenses, and was raised again for our 
justification." Nay, more, our very regeneration is connected 
with His resurrection ! for we are "begotten again unto a Hvely 
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." And 
most certainly our ultiniate resurrection rests here; for "if the 
Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, 
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your 
mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." If Christ be 
not risen, then shall we not rise; but if He be risen, then they 
who are alseep in Christ have not perished, but in their flesh shall 
surely behold their God. Thus, the silver thread of resurrection 
runs through all the believers' blessings, from his regeneration 
onwards to his eternal glory, and binds them together. How im- 
portant, then, will this glorious fact be in his estimation, and how 
will he rejoice that beyond a doubt it is established that "now is 
Christ risen from the dead !" 

The promise is fulfilled, 

Redemption's work is done, 
Justice with mercy's reconciled. 

For God has raised His Son. 

In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put 
forth nothing short of a divine power. What shall we say of 
those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of 
man, and is due to his own betterness of disposition? When we 
shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then 
may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turn- 
ing to Christ. It is not the word preached, nor the word read m 
itself ; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost. This 
power was irresistible. All the soldiers and the high priests could 
not keep the body of Christ in the tomb ; Death himself could not 
hold Jesus in his bonds : even thus irresistible is the power put 
forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life. No sin, 
no corruption, no devils in hell, nor sinners upon earth, can stay the 
hand of God's grace when it intends to convert a man. If God 
omnipotently says, "Thou shalt," man shall not say, "I will not." 
Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was 
glorious. It reflected honor upon God, and wrought dismay in the 
hosts of evil. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 487 

every sinner. It was everlasting pozver. ''Christ, being raised 
from the dead, dieth no more ; death hath no more dominion over 
Him." So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our 
dead works, nor to our old corruptions, but we Hve unto God. 
"Because He Hves we also live." "For we are dead, and our life is 
hid with Christ in God." Like as Christ was raised up 
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should 
walk in newness of life." Lastly, in the text mark the union of the 
new life to Jesus. The same power which raised the Head works 
life in the members. What a blessing to be quickened together 
with Christ ! 



HAPPY ART THOU, O ISRAEL; WHO IS LIKE UNTO 
THEE, O PEOPLE SAVED BY THE LORD ? 

(deut. 23:29.) 

He who affirms that Christianity makes men miserable, is 
himself an utter stranger to it. It were strange indeed if it made 
us wretched; for see to what a position it exalts us! It makes us 
sons of God. Suppose you that God will give all the happiness 
to His enemies, and reserve all the mourning for His own family ? 
Shall His foes have mirth and joy, and shall His home-born child- 
ren inherit sorrow and wretchedness ? Shall the sinner, who has 
no part in Christ, call himself rich in happiness, and shall we go 
mourning as if we were penniless beggars? No, we will rejoice 
in the Lord always, and glory in our inheritance, for we "have 
not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ; but we have re- 
ceived the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." 
The rod of chastisement must rest upon us in our measure, but 
it worketh for us the comfortable fruits of righteousness ; and 
therefore, by the aid of the divine Comforter, we, the "people saved 
of the Lord," will joy in the God of our salvation. We are mar- 
ried unto Christ; and shall our great Bridegroom permit His 
spouse to linger in constant grief ? Our hearts are knit unto Him ; 
we are His members ; and though for a while we may suffer as our 
Head once suffered, yet we are even now blessed with heavenly 
blessings in Him. We have the earnest of our inheritance in the 
comforts of the Spirit, which are neither few nor small. Heritors 
of joy forever, we have foretastes of our portion. There are 



488 DirixE HEALiya. 

streaks of the light of joy to herald our eternal sunrising. Our 
riches are beyond the sea ; our city with firm foundations lies on 
the other side of the river ; gleams of glory from the spirit-world 
cheer our hearts, and urge us onward. Truly is it said of us, 
"Happy art thou, O Israel ; who is like unto thee, O people saved 
by the Lord ?" 



MARY AT THE TOMB. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 491 

CHRIST IN THE TOMB. 

(JOHN 19:42.) 

''There laid they Jesus therefore, because of the Jews' prepar- 
ation-d ay ; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." 

(mark 15 :46.) 

"And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped 
Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out 
of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre." . 

MARY MAGDALENE AT THE TOMB. 
(JOHN 20:11-16.) 

*'But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she 
wept she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, 

"And seeth two angels in white, sitting, the one at the head, 
and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 

"And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She 
saith unto them. Because they have taken away my Lord, and I 
know not where they have laid Him. 

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith 
unto Him, Rabboni ; which is to say. Master." 

Jesus "appeared first to Mary Magdalene." Notice how Christ 
revealed Himself to this sorrowing one by a word : Mary. It 
needed but one word in His voice, and at once she knew Him, 
and her heart owned allegiance by another word. Her heart was 
too full to say more. She said, "Master." 

Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship 
with the Lord Jesus. She sought the Savior very early in the 
morning. She sought Him also with very great boldness. Other 
disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were 
amazed ; but Mary, it is said, "stood" at the sepulchre. If you 
would have Christ with you, seek Him boldly. Let nothing hold 
you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She 
sought Christ faithfully — she stood at the sepulchre. Some find 
it hard to stand by a living Savior, but she stood by a dead one. 
Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing 
that has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others 



492 DIVINE HEALING. 

forsake Him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly — she stood 
''weeping/' Those tear-droppings were as spells that led the 
Savior captive, and made Him come forth and show Himself to 
her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it ! If you cannot 
be happy unless He come and say to you, "Thou art My beloved," 
you will soon hear His voice. Lastly, she sought the Savior only. 
What cared she for angels; she turned herself bad: from them; 
her search was only for her Lord. 



CHRIST APPEARS TO THE HOLY WOMEN. 

(matt. 28:8-10.) 

"And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and 
great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. 

"And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, 
saying. All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and 
w^orshipped him. 

"Then said Jesus unto them. Be not afraid : go tell my brethren 
that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me." 

The doctrine of a risen Savior is exceedingly precious. The 
resurrection is the corner-stone of the the entire building of 
Christianity. It is the key-stone of the arch of our salvation. It 
would take a volume to set forth all the streams of living water 
which flow from this one sacred source, the resurrection of our 
dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ; but to know that He has risen, 
and to have fellow^ship with Him as such — communing with the 
risen Savior by possessing a risen life — seeing Him leave the tomb 
by leaving the tomb of worldliness ourselves, this is even still more 
precious. The doctrine is the basis of the experience, but as the 
flower is more lovely than the root, so is the experience of fel- 
lowship with the risen Savior more lovely than the doctrine itself. 




CHRIST AND THE TWO DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMM. 



\US. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 495 

THE TWO DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS. 
(LUKE 34:13-16, 28-30.) 

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had a most profitable 
journey. Their companion and teacher was the best of tutors; the 
interpreter one of a thousand, in whom are hid all the treasures 
of wisdom and knowledge. -The Lord Jesus condescended to be- 
come a preacher of the gospel, and He was not ashamed to ex- 
ercise His calling before an audience of two persons ; neither does 
He now refuse to become the teacher of even one. Let us court 
the company of so excellent an Instructor, for till He is made 
unto us wisdom, we shall never be wise unto salvation. 

The disciples ought to have known Jesus ; they had heard His 
voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that 
it is wonderful they did not discover Him. Yet is it not so with 
you also? You have not seen Jesus lately. You have been to 
His table, and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark 
trouble this evening, and though He plainly says, 'Tt is. I, be not 
afraid," yet you cannot discern Him. Alas ! our eyes are holden. 
We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have 
leaned our head upon His bosom, and yet, though Christ is very 
near us, we are saying, "Oh, that I knew where I might find Him !" 
We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His 
image ; and yet how possible it is for us to open that precious book 
and have no glimpse of the Wellbeloved ! Dear child of God, are 
you in that state ? Jesus feedeth among the lilies of the Word, and 
you walk among those lilies, and yet you behold Him not. He is 
accustomed to walk through the glades of Scripture, and to 
commune with His people, as the Eather did with Adam in the 
cool of the day, and yet you are in the garden of Scripture, but 
cannot see Him, though He is always there. And why do we 
not see Him? It must be ascribed in our case, as in the disciples', 
to unbelief. They evidently did not expect to see Jesus, and 
therefore they did not know Him. To a great extent in spiritual 
things we get what we expect of the Lord. Faith alone can bring 
us to see Jesus. Make it your prayer, "Lord, open Thou mine 
eyes, that I may see my Savior present with me." It is a blessed 
thing to zuant to see Him ; but oh ! it is better far to gaze upon 
Him. To those who seek Him He is kind ; but to those who find 
Him, beyond expression is He dear ! 



496 D iriy E healing. 

CHRIST EATING WITH HIS DISCIPLES. 
(JOHN 21:9-14.) 

''As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of 
coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 

"Jesus saith unto them. Bring of the fish which ye have now 
caught. 

"Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great 
fishes, a hundred and fifty and three : and for all there were so 
many, yet was not the net broken. 

"Jesus saith unto them. Come and dine. And none of the 
disciples durst ask Him, \\\\o art Thou ? knowing that it was the 
Lord. 

"Jesus then cometh and taketh bread and giveth them, and 
fish likewise. 

"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed Himself to His 
disciples, after that He was risen from the dead. ' 

In these words the believer is invited to a holy nearness to 
Jesus. "Come and dine,"' implies the same table, the same meat; 
ay, and sometimes it means to sit side by side, and lean our head 
upon the Savior's bosom. It is being brought into the banqueting- 
house, where waves the banner of redeeming love. "Come and 
dine," gives us a vision of iinion zvith Jesus, because the only 
food that we can feast upon when we dine with Jesus is Himself. 
Oh, what union is this I It is a depth which reason cannot fathom, 
that we thus feed upon Jesus. "He that eateth ]\Iy flesh, and 
drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him." 

Thee, King of saints, we praise 

For this our living bread ; 
Nourish'd by Thy preserving grace. 

And at Thy table fed. 

Yet still a higher seat 

We in Th}^ kingdom claim. 
Who here begin by faith to eat 

The supper of the Lamb. 

That glorious, heavenly prize, 

We surely shall attain. 
And, in the palace of the skies, 

\Mth Thee forever reign. 




THE ASCENSION. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE, 499 



THE ASCENSION. 

Just before Christ's ascension He gave the following command 
to His disciples : 



*'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every 
creature." — Mark 16 :15. 

"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature. 

"He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that 
believeth not, shall be damned. 

"And these signs shall follow them that believe : In My name 
shall they cast out devils ; they shall speak with new tongues ; 

"They shall take up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly 
thing, it shall not hurt them ! they shall lay hands on the sick, and 
they shall recover. 

"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them. He was re- 
ceived up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 

"And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord 
working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. 
Amen." 

When Jesus gave Himself for us. He gave us all the rights and 
privileges which went with Himself ; so that now, although as 
eternal God, He has essential rights to which no creature may 
venture to pretend, yet as Jesus, the Mediator, the federal Head of 
the covenant of grace. He has no heritage apart from us. All the 
glorious consequences of His obedience unto death are the joint 
riches of all who are in Him, and on whose behalf He accomplished 
the divine will. See, He enters into glory, but not for Himself 
alone, for it is written, "Whither the Forerunner is for us entered.' 
— Heb. 6:20. Does He stand in the presence of God? "He ap- 
pears in the presence of God for us." — Heb. 9 :24. Consider this, 
believer. You have no right to heaven in yourself : your right lies 
in Christ. If you are pardoned, it is through His blood ; 
if you are justified, it is through His righteousness ; if 
you shall be kept from falling, it will be because you are preserved 
in Christ Jesus ; and if you are perfected at the last, it will be be- 
cause you are complete in Him. Thus Jesus is magnified — for all 
is in Him and bv Him ; thus the inheritance is made certain to us 



500 JDIVINE HEALING. 

— for it is obtained in Him ; thus each blessing is the sweeter, and 
even heaven itself the brighter, because it is Jesus our Beloved 
''in Whom" we have obtained all. Where is the man who shall 
estimate our divine portion ? Weigh the riches of Christ in scales, 
and His treasures in balances, and then think to count the treasures 
which belong to the saints. Reach the bottom of Christ's sea of 
joy, and then hope to understand the bliss which God hath pre- 
pared for them that love Him. Overleap the boundaries of 
Christ's possessions, and then dream of a limit to the fair in- 
heritance of the elect. "All things are yours, for ye are Christ's 
and Christ is God's." 



ASCENSION DAY. 

Hail the day that sees Him rise, 
Ravish'd from our wistful eyes ! 
Christ, awhile to mortals given, 
Reascends His native heaven. 

There the pompous triumph waits : 
Lift your heads, eternal gates ; 
Wide unfold the radiant scene ; 
Take the King of glory in. 

Circled round with angel powers, 
Their triumphant Lord and ours, 
Conqueror over death and sin — 
Take the King of glory in. 

Him though highest heaven receives, 
Still He loves the earth He leaves ; 
Though returning to His throne. 
Still He calls mankind His own. 

See, He lifts His hands above ! 
See, He shows the prints of love ! 
Hark, His gracious lips bestow 
Blessings on His church below ! 




THE DAY OF PENTECOST. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE . 503 

THE DAY OF PENTECOST. 
(acts 2:1-4.) 

''And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all 
with one accord in one place. 

''And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing 
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, 
and it sat upon each of them. 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to 
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." 

Rich were the blessings of this day if all of us were filled with 
the Holy Ghost. The consequences of this sacred filling of the 
soul it would be impossible to over-estimate. Life, comfort, light, 
purity, power, peace, and many other precious blessings are insep- 
arable from the Spirit's benign presence. As sacred oil, He 
anoints the head of the believer, sets him apart to the priesthood 
of saints, and gives him grace to execute his ofiice aright. As the 
only truly purifying water. He cleanses us from the power of sin, 
and sanctifies us unto holiness, working in us to will and to do of 
the Lord's good pleasure. As the light, He manifested to us at first 
our lost estate, and now He reveals the Lord Jesus to us and in us, 
and guides us in the way of righteousness. Enlightened by His 
pure celestial ray, we are no more darkness, but light in the Lord. 
As Hre, Lie both purges us from dross, and sets our consecrated 
nature in a blaze. He is the sacrificial flame by which we are en- 
abled to offer our whole souls as a living sacrifice unto God. As 
heavenly dezv, He removes our barrenness and fertilizes our lives. 
O that He would drop from above upon us at this early hour. 
Such morning dew would be a sweet commencement for the dav. 
As the dove, with wings of peaceful love. He broods ovei His 
church and over the souls of believers, and as a Comforter He 
dispels the cares and doubts which mar the peace of His beloved. 
He descends upon the chosen as upon the Lord in Jordan, and 
bears witness to their sonship by working in them a filial spirit, 
by which they cry, Abba, Father. As the wind, He brings the 
breath of life to men ; blowing where He listeth He performs the 
quickening operations by which the spiritual creation is animated 
and sustained. Would to God that we might feel His presence this 
day and every day. 



504 DIY IS E HEALING. 



PEACE, LOVE, PURITY. 

When first the Spirit left the throne. 
He took the semblance of a dove ; 

A symbol chosen to make known 
His peace, and purity, and love. 

When next, at Pentecost, He came, 
He stood. confessed to mortal sight 

Within the cloven tongue of flame — 

The type of freedom, guidance, light. 

Vouchsafe, celestial Dove, Thy peace, 
That we at perfect peace may be ; 

Within our hearts Thy love increase — ■ 
Within our thoughts. Thy purity. 

O Light divine ! direct our feet, 

Which long in error's paths have trod ; 
Our prison 'd souls with freedom greet. 

Convince of sin, and lead to God. 



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CROWNED WITH THORNS. 



M I^^ D AN D FAITH CURE. 507 



CROWNED WITH THORNS. 

O sacred head, now wounded 

With grief and shame weighed down 
Now scornfully surrounded 

With thorns, Thy only crown ! 

O sacred head, what glory, 

What bliss till now was Thine ; 

Yet, though despised and gory, 
I joy to call Thee mine. 



WHAT IS THE BADGE OF YOUR SERVICE. 

Must you wear an emblem of what you love or believe in ? 
Then, what shall it be? Some wear the button of their political 
party, the face of their favorite candidate ; the miniature of hus- 
band or wife ; of lover or sweetheart ; the token of lodge or frater- 
nity, as a constant reminder of their obligation to the person or in- 
stitution represented. Then, why not, first of all and above all, 
wear the emblem of the Cross ? If it stands for obedience to the 
precepts of the Divine Word, "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
make no provisions for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof." Ro- 
mans 13 :14. "Bear the emblem of His suffering in atonement for 
us," and as you look at this seal of your consecration, this badge 
of your loyalty, sing : 

When I survey the wondrous cross 
On which the Prince of Glory died, 

My richest gain I count but dross. 

And pour contempt on all my pride. 

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, 

Save in the death of Christ my God. 

All the vain things that charm me most 
I sacrifice them to His blood. 

Were the whole realm of nature mine 
That were a present far too small — 

Love so amazing, so divine 

Demands my soul, my life, my all. 



508 DIVI^' E HEALING. 

Let us honor the Cross. Let us wear the Cross. Let us bear 
the Cross. The wearing becomes but a hollow mockery unless we 
bear it. Seeking to apply the lessons of the life and word and work 
of the first great Cross-bearer, "who endured the cross, despising 
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." 
Hebrews 12 :2. "Where He ever liveth to make intercession for 
us." — Hebrews 7 :25. 

He ever lives above, for me to intercede. 

His all redeeming love, His precious blood to plead, 

His blood atones for all our race, 

And sprinkles now the throne of grace. 

Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on CaU^ary. 
They pour effectual prayer, they strongly plead for me. 
Forgive them, oh forgive, they cry, 
Nor let the ransomed sinner die. 

Put the cross upon your person as the outward badge of your 
devotion to Him who died upon it. Put it likewise in your heart and 
thought and conscience, to be the guide of conduct. As you would 
not be ashamed of the flag of your country, neither be ashamed of 
the emblem of your salvation. The banner of the kingdom of 
heaven to which we owe our first and highest loyalty, and remem- 
ber, it is not the material token, but the Life sacrificed upon the 
original cross, that we are to rely upon, and trust in for the pay- 
ment of our debt of sin. Have no bitterness in your heart, or 
controversy upon your tongue for others, who meet in His name. 
How know ye that they are not His people. Remember in the days 
of His flesh, the disciples came, and John answered and said. 
"Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and we 
forbade him, because he followed not with us." And Jesus said 
unto him, "Forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us." 
— Luke 9 :49, 50. Only, never rest satisfied in the outward formi 
of religion, however new and bright and precious your external 
token of royalty upon your breast may be. Give not sleep to your 
eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids, until you can realize as your 
personal heart experience, 

The cross now covers my sin, 

The past is under the blood, 
I am trusting in Jesus for all. 

My will is the will of my God. 




Beneath Thy cross I lay me down, 
And mourn to see Thy bloody crown; 
Love drops in blood from every vein, 
Love is the spring of all His pain. 



Here, Jesus, I shall ever stay, 
And spend my longing: hours away. 
Think on Thv bleeding wounds and pain 
And contemplate Thy woes again. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE, 511 

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. 
(mark 10:31.) 

Jesus was a cross-bearer ; He leads the way in the path of sor- 
row. Surely you could not desire a better guide! And if He 
carries a cross, what nobler burden would you desire? The Via 
Crucis is the way of safety ; fear not to tread its thorny paths. 

Beloved, the cross is not made of feathers, nor lined with velvet, 
it is heavy and galling to disobedient shoulders ; but it is not an 
iron cross, though your fears have painted it with iron colors ; 
it is a wooden cross, and a man can carry it, for the Man of 
Sorrows tried the load. Take up your cross, and by the power 
of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that, like 
Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the 
treasures of Egypt. 

WHAT IS YOUR BADGE? 

What is your badge ? May it be the cross. Wear it without, 
and be not ashamed of it, but wear the spirit and principle of lov- 
ing obedience which it represents within, but God forbid that I 
should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom 
the world is crucified, unto me and I unto the world. Gal. 6 :14. 

The accompanying picture, represent- 
ing the crucifixion, is a fac simile of the 
^,f'' --^ badge I wear. Christ stamped that cross in 

jj my heart, blessed be His name, and I am 

not ashamed to wear it ; and I believe 
every true follower of Jesus Christ should 
wear the cross, representing the crucifixion, 
-, upon his person, as the outward badge of 

^^f^i-/^ his devotion to Him who died upon it. 

*• *'* Put it likewise in your heart, to be the guide 

of conduct. For comfort I ahvays wear 
my coat unbuttoned and thrown back, and 
for that reason I wear my badge of the 
crucifixion on the front part of my vest, 
where I can see it, and where everybody 
can see it. I have made arrangements with 
the factory to supply me with badges like 
mine, in rolled gold, so that I can supply those who may wish them, 
for two dollars each (cash to accompany the order). 



I 



512 DIYiyE HEALIXG 



THE CHURCHES OF TODAY. 

The churches of today are courting the world and not God. 
Its members are trying to bring it down to the level of the uri- 
godly, the ball-room, the theatre, and nude and livid art. Social 
luxuries, with all their loose moralities, are making inroads into 
the sacred inclosure of the church. Their nights of reveling and. 
wine tippling are contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

Dear reader, you should smash your demijohns if you want 
Christ's company. Christ will not keep company with a man 
steeped in rum. All of these are the old tricks of Satan. The Jew- 
ish church, struck and foundered on that rock ; the Roman church 
was wrecked on the same crag, and the Protestant churches of 
today are fast reaching the same doom. Let a ]\Iethodist of today 
get a full blessing of sanctification, or baptism of the Holy Ghost, 
and the worldly Christians, who are agents of the devil, will call 
him crazy. They say, none but weak-minded Christians get that 
way. Peter's great sermon on the day of Pentecost made three 
thousand fanatics. Glory ! Hallelujah ! I wish I could get that 
way every day of the year. 

^ly soul has tasted of the grapes, 

And now it longs to go 
AMiere my dear Lord His vineyard keeps, 

And all the clusters grow. 

L^pon the true and living Yine 

yiy famished soul would feast. 
And banquet on the fruit divine — 

An everlasting guest. 

A church spending its time in the cold storage or club busi- 
ness has no right to exist, and ought to be blotted out from the face 
of the earth. It is no longer the body of Christ. Cold storage has 
its place, but churches should not be in the business, and, least of 
all, should the subjects of salvation be the raw material for service 
and isolation. This freezing and formality, it means the lost, for 
whom Jesus died become the victims of the combination. ]\Iany 
a thoroughly converted young man has marched into a church 
shouting and singing : 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 513 

Jesus, all the day long, was my joy and my song; 

O, that all His salvation might see, 
He has loved me, I cried ; He has suffered and died 

To redeem even rebels like me. 

But after rattling around the ice box for a couple of weeks his 
rang-e of vocalization has become like unto : 



'fe^ 



My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so? 

Awake ! my sluggish soul. 
Nothing has half thy work to do, 

Yet nothing- half so dull. 



'fe 



Three months later he is only equal to chanting a minor key to 
solemn measure : 

Hark ! from the tombs a doleful sound — 

Mine ears attend the cry : 
Ye living men, come view the ground 

Where you must surely lie. 

And we wonder why our churches are empty ! Turn the 
refrigerator into the furnace, or get out of it. 

The Bible is my chart. 

By it the seas I know. 
I cannot with it part ; 

Its rocks and sands doth show. 
It is a chart and compass, too, 
Whose needle points forever true. 

Alas, how the Bible is neglected and the voice of conscience 
drawn by calls of pleasing sin. But it would not, could not be so, 
if these voices of eternity were permitted to sound in our ears. 

I have seen persons far inland hold to their ears the empty sea- 
shell to hear the fancied roar of the ocean. O, shall we not hold 
to our ears today, this shell text from the shore of eternity's sea, 
and let it admonish us of the tremendous lifetime of forever that 
we have yet to live with ourselves. How our awakened con- 
sciences point us to that word of infallible inseparation, until ^^■e 
hug it to our hearts and cry, "My Father, Thou art the guide of my 
youth. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin 
ag-ainst Thee." 




DEATH ON THE PALE HORSE. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 517 

DEATH ON THE PALE HORSE. 

(REV. 6:S.) 

The description of this scene in Holy Writ is one of the most 
vivid and wonderful of the utterances of the inspired exile of 
Patmos : "And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and his name 
that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him. It is the 
opening of the fourth seal." 

ARISE YE, AND DEPART. 

(micah 2 :10.) 

The hour is approaching when the message will come to us, 
as it comes to all — ''Arise, and go forth from the home in which 
thou hast dwelt, from the city in which thou hast done thy business, 
from thy family, from thy friends. Arise, and take thy last jour- 
ney." And what know we of the journey ? And what know we 
of the country to which we are bound ? A little we have read 
thereof, and somewhat has been revealed to us by the Spirit ; but 
how little do we know of the realms of the future! We know 
that there is a black and stormy river called "Death." God bids 
us cross it, promising to be with us. And, after death, what 
cometh ? What wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight ? 
What scene of glory will be unfolded to our view? No traveler 
has ever returned to tell. But we know enough of the heavenly 
land to make us welcome our summons thither with joy and glad- 
ness. The journey of death may be dark, but we may go forth on 
it fearlessly, knowing that God is with us as we walk through the 
gloomy valley, and therefore we need fear no evil. We shall be 
departing from all we have known and loved here, but we shall bo 
going to our Father's house — to our Father's home, where Jesus 
is — to that royal "city which hath foundations, whose builder and 
maker is God." This shall be our last removal, to dwell forever 
with Him we love, in the midst of His people, in the presence of 
God. Christian, meditate much on heaven ; it will help thee to 
press on, and to forget the toil of the way. This vale of tears 
is but the pathway to the better country ; this world of woe is but 
the stepping-stone to a world of bliss. 



518 DITiyEHEALIXG. 

Prepare us, Lord, by grace divine, 

For Thy bright courts on high ; 
Then bid our spirits rise and join 

The chorus of the sky. 

Child of God, death hath lost its sting, because the Devil's 
power over it is destroyed. Then cease to fear dying. Ask 
grace from God the Holy Ghost, that by an intimate knowledge 
and a firm belief of thy Redeemer's death, thou mayst be strength- 
ened for that dread hour. Living near the cross of Calvary, thou 
mayst think of death with pleasure, and welcome it when it comes 
with intense delight. It is sweet to die in the Lord ; it is a coven- 
ant-blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment ; it 
is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where 
the loved ones already dwell. The distance between glorified 
spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it 
is not so. We are not far from home — a moment will bring us 
there. The sail is spread ; the soul is launched upon the deep. 
How long will be its voyage? How many wearying winds must 
beat upon the sail ere it shall be reefed in the port of peace ? How 
long shall that soul be tossed upon the waves before it comes to 
that sea which knows no storm? Listen to the answer: "Absent 
from the body, present with the Lord." Yon ship has just de- 
parted, but it is already at its haven. It did but spread its sail and 
it was there. Like that ship of old, upon the lake of Galilee, a 
storm had tossed it ; but Jesus said, "Peace, be still," and iininedi- 
ately it came to land. Think not that a long period intervenes 
between the instant of death and the eternity of glory. When the 
eyes close on earth they open in heaven. The horses of fire are not 
an instant on the road. Then, O child of God, what is there for 
thee to fear in death, seeing that through the death of thy Lord 
its curse and sting are destroyed? and now it is but a Jacob's 
ladder whose foot is in the dark grave, but its top reaches to 
glory everlasting. 

THE REDEEMED IX HEAA^EX. 

Lo ! round the throne, a glorious band. 
The saints in countless myriads stand ; 
Of every tongue redeem'd to God, 
Array'd in garments wash'd in blood. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 519 

Through tribulation great they came ; 
They bore the cross, despised the shame,* 
But now from all their labors rest,. 
In God's eternal glory blest. 

They see the Savior face to face ; 
They sing the triumph of His grace ; 
And day and night, with ceaseless praise, 
To Him their loud hosannas raise. 

O, may we tread the sacred road 
That holy saints and martyrs trod ; 
Wage to the end the glorious strife, 
And win, like them, a crown of life. 



BORN AGAIN. 

You must be born again, and go to God as a little child, or 
you cannot enter into the kingdom of God. It is impossible to 
heal a man who is filled with hatred, with revenge, with malice, 
jealousy, lust and all mean, vicious thoughts. God will not heal 
such a man. No man can enjoy perfect health who allows such 
habits to have sway over his being. 

Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have yoii been 
''horn again?" If you have, you belong to Christ; but without 
the new birth, you cannot be His. In zvhom do yon. trust? For 
those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose work are 
you doing? You are sure to serve your Master, for He whom 
you serve is thereby owned to be your Lord. What company do 
you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those 
who wear the livery of the cross. "Birds of a feather flock to- 
gether." What is your conversation? Is it heavenly, or is it 
earthly? What have you learned of your Master? — for servants 
learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If 
you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it 
was of Peter and John, "They took knowledge of them that they 
had been with Jesus." 

We press the question, "To whom belongest thou?" Answer 
honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If vou are not 
Christ's you are in a hard service. Run away from your cruel 



520 DITiy E HEALIXG. 

master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you 
shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are Christ's, let me advise 
you to do four things. You belong to Jesus — obey Him ; let His 
word be your law ; let His wish be your will. You belong to the 
Beloved; then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your 
whole soul be filled with Him. You belong to the Son of God ; 
then trust Him; rest nowhere but on Him. You belong to the 
King of kings; then be decided for Him. Thus, without youf 
being branded upon the brow, all will know to whom you belong. 




ANGELS SWINGING THEIR CENSERS. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 523 

ANGELS SWINGING THEIR CENSERS. 

THE CITY GOD HATH MADE. 

Daily, daily sing the praises 

Of the city God hath made ; 
In the beauteous fields of Eden 

Its foundation-stones are laid. 

In the midst of that dear City 

Christ is reigning on His seat, 
And the angels swing their censers 

In a ring about His feet. 

From the throne a river issues, 

Clear as crystal, passing bright, 
And it traverses the city 

Like a sudden beam of light. 

There the wind is sweetly fragrant, 

And is laden with the song 
Of the seraphs and the elders, 

And the great redeemed throng. 

O I would my ears were open 

Here to catch that happy strain ; 
O I would my eyes some vision 

Of that Eden could attain. 

REV. SABINE BARING GOULD. 

The angels are swinging their censers filled with the bottled 
tears of the saints. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bend- 
eth his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs 
and tears. Yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill 
with music. That tear has been caught by God, and treasured in 
the archives of heaven. "Thou puttest my tears into Thy bottle,'' 
implies that they are caught as they flow. Prayers are the falling 
of a tear. Tears are the diamonds of heaven. 

Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God ; they 
bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. 



524 DIVIDE HEALING. 

Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the 
children of His love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal 
to his Father's house below, and they welcome the advent of the 
believer to the King's palace above. In olden times the sons of 
God were favored with their visible appearance, and at this day, 
although unseen by us, heaven is still opened, and the angels of 
God ascend and descend upon the Son of Man, that they may 
visit the heirs of salvation. Seraphim still fly with live coals from 
of? the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved. If our eyes 
could be opened, we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire 
about the servants of the Lord ; for we have come to an innum- 
erable company of angels, who are all watchers and protectors 
of the seed royal. Spenser's life is no poetic fiction, where he 
sings : 

"How oft do they with golden pinions cleave 
The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant. 
Against foul fiends to aid us militant !" 

To what dignity are the chosen elevated when the brilliant 
courtiers of heaven become their willing servitors ! Into what com- 
munion are we raised, since we have intercourse with spotless 
celestials ! How well are we defended, since all the twenty 
thousand chariots of God are armed for our deliverance ! To 
whom do we owe all this? Let the Lord Jesus Christ be forever 
endeared to us, for through Him we are made to sit in heavenly 
places, far above principalities and powers. He it is whose camp 
is round about them that fear Him ; He is the true Michael whose 
foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus ! Thou Angel of Jehovah's 
presence ; to Thee this family offers its morning vows. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 527 

SAUL GOING TOWARDS DAMASCUS. 
(acts 9:1-18.) 

"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter 
against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 

"And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, 
that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or 
women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 

"And as he journeyed he came near Damascus: and suddenly 
there shined round about him a light from heaven : 

"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, 
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? 

"And he said. Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am 
Jesus whom thou persecutest : it is hard for thee to kick against 
the pricks. 

"And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt Thou 
have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into 
the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 

"And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, 
hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 

"And Saul arose from the earth ; and when his eyes were 
opened, he saw no man : but they led him by the hand, and brought 
him to Damascus. 

"And he was three days without sight, neither did eat nor drink. 
"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; 
and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said. 
Behold, I am here, Lord. 

"And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street 
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one 
called Saul, of Tarsus : for, behold, he prayeth, 

"And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, 
and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

"Then Ananias answered. Lord, I have heard by many of this 
man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem : 

"And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all 
that call on thy name. 

"But the Lord said unto him. Go thy way : for he is a chosen 
vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, 
and the children of Israel. 

"For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my 
name's sake. 



528 ^ I y I ^ E H E A L I y a . 

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house: and 
putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord {even Jesus 
that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest) hath sent me, 
that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy 
Ghost. 

"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales : 
and he received his sight forthwith." 

Saul could not understand Christ's gospel teaching, and he did 
not propose to let any one else understand. He was one of the 
scribes and Pharisees who wore the Devil's goggles over his eyes, 
and could only read Christ's doctrine literally and interpret its 
meaning through this material, mortal man, the Devil's agent. 
When Ananias healed him, immediately the Devil's goggles fell 
from his eyes, as it had been scales, and he received his sight and 
could read spiritually instead of materially. 



BEHOLD, HE PRAYETH. 

(acts 9:11.) 

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul 
began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the dis- 
tressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor, broken-hearted one 
bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of 
sighs and tears ; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven 
thrill with music ; that tear has been caught by God, and treasured 
in the lachrymatory of heaven. "Thou puttest my tears into Thy 
bottle," implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant 
whose fears prevent his words will be well understood by the 
Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but "prayer is 
the falling of a tear." Tears are the diamonds of heaven ; wher- 
ever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with 
agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah 
is open ; He marks it down in the registry of His memory ; He 
puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book 
of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall 
be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom. 

Faith asks no signal from the skies, 
To show that prayers accepted rise ; 
Our Priest is in His holy place. 
And answers from the throne of grace. 




DR. RICHMOND'S VISION OF ETERNITY. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 531 



ETERNITY ! ETERNITY ! THEN WHAT ? 

I was strolling along the ocean beach one day, off Golden Gate 
Park, San Francisco, as it had been my custom for some time, in 
order to inhale the ozone from the ocean. I was not well. In 
fact, I was quite an invalid. After walking until I got tired, I sat 
down to rest and to read my Bible as usual. That day in particular 
I felt more serious than usual, and with upturned head, with eyes 
pointing heavenwards, I talked to God and thanked Him for the 
many blessings that He had bestowed upon me in years gone by, 
when I was not worthy to eat the crumbs from His table, and 
through love and mercy He was still piling upon me one blessing 
upon another ; and I also thanked Him for sending His only begot- 
ten Son into this sin-cursed world that He might lay down His 
life in order to save mine, as well as all mankind, and redeem the 
world. I cannot command words strong enough to thank God 
for this great blessing that He has bestowed upon mankind. While 
I was talking to God my heart was filled brim full of love. I loved 
everything and everybody. Even the music of the sea gulls was 
more lovely and sweet than ever before. And I loved the waves. 
They were sweet music ringing in my ears. All at once I heard 
in the distance a doleful noise, but as the waves came nearer 
and nearer I caught the sound, which echoed through my ears, 
Eternity ! Eternity ! Eternity ! Then what ? As the waves re- 
ceded the sound died out, but when they returned the same echo 
would come with them : Eternity ! Eternity ! Eternity ! Then what ? 
And, again, as the waves receded, the sound died out, but when the 
waves came, here came the echo. Eternity ! Eternity ! Eternity. Then 
what? I began to ask myself whether I was prepared to meet 
eternity. I belonged to the Methodist church and I thought I was 
all right. This word, Eternity, hounded me three or four days and I 
bathed my pillow with tears every night. I think it was the fourth 
evening after that I opened my Bible and began to read the second 
chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the great Pentecostal sermon. 
I was reading it slowly, carefully, and prayerfully, when all at 
once a flash like lightning came over me, and before I knew it I 
dropped my Bible to the floor and I jumped about ten feet, the first 
jump, and I ran around my room shouting at the top of my voice 
and the tears rolled down my cheeks in torrents like rivers. My 
face all lit up as though it was on fire. That was the happiest 
hour of my life, and I never expect to experience such happiness 



532 DITIXE E EALIX G. 

again until I land in the celestial heaven up in the skies. And what a 
rejoicing there will be when we have reached home in the heavenly 
Father's house, and have seen our Elder Brother and be sure that 
we shall abide with Him and go no more out. Oh, that is what we 
pant for. We long to hear His voice welcoming us to our new 
abode. 

"Come in. thou blessed. Sit by ]\Ie. With ]\ly life I ran- 
somed thee. Come, taste ]\Iy perfect favor I Come in I Come in ! 
thou happy spirit : thou now shalt dwell with ]\Ie at home. Ye 
blissful mansions, make him room, for he must stay forever." 

God not only healed me of my sins, but also healed me of all 
my diseases, which were many. His healing touch was wonderful. 
By inspiration I was taken upon the Blount of Transfiguration to 
get power, like the disciples of old. I had to come down again, and 
at the foot of the mount I began to heal all manner of dis- 
eases. 

Jesus went apart and took His three disciples with Him to 
hold high fellowship with the Father, and we must enter into the 
same divine companionship if we would bless our fellow-men. No 
wonder that the apostles were clothed with power when they 
came down fresh from the mountain. This morning we must en- 
deavor to ascend the mount of communion that there we may be 
ordained to the life work for which we are set apart. Let us 
not see the face of man today till we have seen Jesus. We, too, 
shall heal the sick and cast out devils and work wonders if we go 
down into the world girded with that divine energy which Christ 
alone can give. It is of no use going to the Lord's battle till 
we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus. This 
is essential. At the mercy seat we will linger till He shall mani- 
fest Himself unto us as He doth not unto the world, and until we 
can truthfully say we were with Him in the holy mount, then we 
are prepared to meet eternity. Oh. that awful word, eternity, 
eternity I eternity I Then what ? 

Reader, have you made your peace with God? Are you pre- 
pared to meet eternity? Strike a halt and pause before it is for- 
ever too late. Ah ! remember God is just, and because He is just, 
prepare to meet thy God ere the wax hath cooled which is sealing 
thy death warrant. List to a warning from God, for the book of 
thy doom, once sealed, shall never be opened again for erasure 
or inscription. Hear Jesus speak : ""The soul that sinneth shall die. 
Behold the dav cometh that shall burn as an oven. And the 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 533 

wicked shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them 
up," saith the Lord of Hosts. That it shall leave them neither 
root nor branch. The eyes which once flowed with tears shall flash 
lightning on thee. The hands which were nailed to the cross of 
redemption shall seize the thunder-bolts of vengeance, and the 
voice which once in melting tones said, "Come, ye weary," shall 
pronounce in thundering words the sentence, "Depart, ye cursed." 
Eternity ! eternity ! Lost ! lost ! 

A lady having spent the evening, until a late hour, with gay 
company in fashionable amusement, returning home found her 
maid reading a pious book. Taking in the character of the work 
at a glance, she exclaimed, "Poor melancholy soul, what pleasure 
can you find in such a book ?" That night she could not sleep, but 
lay sighing and weeping, until her servant, twice awakened by it, 
asked the cause of her sorrow. At length, with a fresh burst of 
tears, she said, "Oh, it is one word I saw in that book of yours, 
that awful word 'Eternity.' How happy should I be, were I 
only prepared for eternity." And this preparation she obtained 
before the conviction so strangely given, was lost. 

How brief is time compared with eternity. "For what is your 
life, it is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then 
vanisheth away." — Jas. 4 :4. But eternity is vast, endless, unend- 
ing, stretching out and on forever. And we are to live through- 
out the whole tremendous reaches of immortal life with the 
character we have made, with the tendencies we have acquired, 
with the fitness we have put on, to find an affinity to that fitness ; to 
develop along the lines of that predisposition forever. 

Eternity, eternity. How long art thou, eternity ? 
And yet to thee time hastes away. 
Like as the war horse to the fray. 
Or swift as couriers homeward go, 
Or ship to port, or shaft from bow ; 
Ponder, O man, eternity. 

Eternity, eternity! How long art thou, eternity? 
Eor even as in perfect sphere 
End nor beginning doth appear. 
Even so eternity, in thee 
Entrance nor exit can there be. 
Ponder, O man, eternitv ! 



534 DITISEHEALI S G . 

Eternity, eternity! How long art thou, eternity 
A circle infinite art thou, 
Thy center an eternal now ; 
Never we name thy outward bound. 
For never end therein is found. 
Ponder. O man, eternitv! 



Eternity, eternity! How long art thou, eternity? 
As long as God is God, so long 
Endure the pains of hell and wrong, 
So long the joys of heaven remain : 
O lasting joy, O lasting pain. 
Ponder, O man, eternitv ! 



AMio could think of any departure from the will of God, as 
pleasurable if he lives with this dreadful eternity before him, and 
how every so-called pleasure would clog and our desires for them 
turn to loathing. And, like Joseph when tempted, we would say, 
"How can I do this great thing and sin against God?"' Who can 
think of this tremendous certainty which we are soon to realize and 
wonder at the conduct of a converted young ]\Iethodist in society 
life, who, when forced by her fashionable religious father to 
remain for a gay evening party, which he had given to win her 
away from her serious thoughts. The sets were forming for the 
dance, her father compelled her to take the piano and make music 
for their flying feet, as she had positively refused to go upon the 
floor. The dancers paused for the music. She sat with her fingers 
upon the keys for a minute, her heart uplifted in prayer for 
strength and direction. The folio of gay music was before her. 
Then, catching the inspiration from the thoughts of eternity that 
filled her soul, she made a selection that carried the thrill of her 
own feeling to every heart as she played and sang : 

"And am I only born to die ? 
And must I suddenly comply 

With nature's stern decree? 
What after death for me remains? 
Celestial joys or hellish pains. 

To all eternitv. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 535 

How, then, ought I on earth to Uve 
While God prolongs the kind reprieve, 

And props the house of clay ? 
My soul concern my single care 
To watch, and tremble, and prepare. 

Against that fatal day. 

No room for mirth or trifling here, 
For worldly hope or worldly fear. 

If life so soon is gone ; 
If now the Judge is at the door. 
And all mankind must stand before 

The inexorable throne. 

No matter which my thoughts employ, 
A moment's misery or joy ; 

But, O, when both shall end, 
Where shall I find my destined place, 
Shall I my everlasting days 

With fiends or angels spend? 

Nothing is worth a thought beneath, 
But how I may escape the death 

That never, never dies ; 
How make mine own election sure ; 
And, when I fail on earth, secure 

A mansion in the skies. 

Jesus vouchsafe a pitying ray ; 

Be Thou my guide, be Thou my way 

To glorious happiness. 
Ah, write the pardon on my heart, 
And whensoever I hence depart, 

Let me depart in peace." 

What wonder that the dancers scattered in consternation and 
that the services of this true disciple of Jesus were required in 
pointing many of the gay young people to "the Lamb of God 
that taketh away the sins of the world." — John 1 :29. A proper 
estimate of temporal as compared with eternal things, would turn 
every band of revelers into a solemn assembly of inquirers after 



536 D IT IX E H E ALiy G . 

the things of God. Sacred indeed from all desire for the pleasures 
of sin, whether public or secret, and awakened to a longing- for 
those things which make for eternal peace. 

It would lead us to hate and abhor sin and account it our 
greatest enemy. 

If the comparative values of time and eternity were kept prop- 
erly balanced in our minds, how it would shock us to have made 
unto us even a suggestion of evil. How our faces would pale with 
fear at even the possibility of a single sin to be woven like a 
thread into the garment in which we are to appear throughout 
eternity. I think I see you when the whisper is made, no matter 
how graceful the form, how fair the face or how siren-like the 
voice. The moment the sinful nature of it is made apparent to 
your conscience, how you start back from the tempter as from the 
stroke of a serpent, and cry in horror, ''Get thee behind me, Satan, 
for thou art an oiTense unto me." "How shall I do this great 
wickedness and sin against God !" 

Time and eternity are before you. You are passing rapidly 
through the one and will soon be merged into the other. For which 
are you living? For which will you live? If for eternity, when, 
O when, will you begin ? We shall soon be in eternity. 

Without measuring it with time and considering its greater 
value we cannot be prepared for it. If not prepared for eternity 
how miserable will be our future. You can have whichsoever you 
choose, either ''the pleasures of sin for a season," with the horrors 
of eternal shipwreck, or the way of self-denial to the flesh, with 
sometimes affliction, with the people of God, and at the last the 
eternal blessing of heaven, with a gladsome spirit that always 
accompanies a conscience void of offense. No one can have both. 
Which for you ? Make choice today. ''Today if ye will hear His 
voice, harden not your heart." Think how much longer you are 
going to live in eternity than here. That which we choose 
we live for, that which we live for we receive, that which we re- 
ceive will be the apparel of our souls forever in the eternal world. 
You have answered the question often, what are you going to 
wear, when preparing for excursion, or ball, or theatre, or card 
party. I ask you as in the presence of God. this solemn question, 
What are you going to wear in eternity ? 

In coming to this land of sunshine, you were often met with the 
query. Where are you going to live ? And I ask you, Where are 
you going to live in the eternity to which you are hastening ^ 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 537 

I heard of one dying-, a man of great wealth, which he had made 
himself. He had lived in a small way until his fortune was abso- 
lutely assured, then built a palatial residence in a fashionable 
quarter, into which he moved his family. And for a while they 
intensely enjoyed the change from their humble dwelling to the 
great one with all its appointments of beauty. But, alas, just as 
soon as we commence to live in this world, we begin to die. And 
there came to this magnificent home, among the many guests that 
called, one wholly uninvited. No ring was heard, no liveried 
servant ushered him into the spacious hall. But he came — grim 
and ghastly and awful — stalked up the broad staircase to the 
room where the successful strong man of forty took his rest. The 
freezing hand of the spectre touched his vitals with an awful chill. 
The doctor was summoned. He came often. Others, the wisest 
and best, came with him in grave consultation, but all to no pur- 
pose. The man who had just begun to fulfill his idea of living, 
must move out of it all. The sad news was broken to his wife, 
who, grief-stricken, sat in the parlor weeping as though her heart 
would break. Their little four-year-old darling stole into the room 
and surprised at the unusual scene, ran to her saying, "Mama, 
what makes you kie, what makes you kie, mama?" The mother, 
in her own awful sorrow, desiring to soften it as much as possible 
for her child, said, ''Oh, mama is crying, darling, because papa is 
going to a far country and is never coming back to us any more." 
Awed by the solemn words, but dimly understood, she stole up to 
the room where her father lay, and, creeping up to the bed-side 
and upon it where she could look into his face, she said, ''Papa, 
papa, have you dot any home in that far-ofif land where you is doin' 
to? Say, papa, have you dot a home there?" And the question 
sank down into the soul of the dying man, who had spent all his 
time and energy in accumulating wealth and a great house in a 
land he must leave forever, and had made no provision for the 
country whither he was going, and going to stay. 

Oh, sinner, you are doing the same ; giving everything to this 
state you soon must leave and making no preparation for the land 
where you must remain forever. "Look not upon the things v/hich 
are seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things 
that are not seen are eternal." 

Eternity, eternity ; eternity where ? 

It floats in the air, amid clamor and silence it ever is there. 

The question so solemn : Eternity, where ? 



538 DIVINE HE A LI N G . 

Eternity where? O, eternity where? 

With redeemed ones in glory, or fiends in despair, 

With one or the other — Eternity, where ? 

Eternity where? O, how can you share 

The world's giddy pleasures, or heedlessly dare 

Do ought till you settle, eternity where ? 

Eternity where, O, friend have a care ; 

Soon God will no longer His judgments forbear, 

This day may decide your eternity, where? 

Eternity where ? O, eternity where ? 

Friend, sleep not nor take in this world any share 

Till you've answered this question, Eternity where? 

May God add His blessing to the souls who know Him not 
and who for the moment feel the solemnity of this awful subject 
not to turn asideto refuges of lies, and seek to dissipate their solemn 
reflections by frivolity and lightness. God gives to every one con- 
victions once. But if we trifle them away and purposely dissipate 
them, how can we tell that there will remain any more sacrifice for 
sin, but a certain fearful looking for judgment of fiery indignation 
from the presence of the Lord. 

**Be wise today, 'tis madness to defer. Each day the fatal 
precedent will plead. Thus on till wisdom is pushed out of life." 

Procrastination is the thief of time. Year after year it steals 
till all are gone, and to the mercy of a moment leaves the vast 
concerns of an eternal state. 



THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 

The Pharisees demanded of Christ to know when the kingdom 
of God should come. He answered them and said, "The kingdom 
of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo, 
here, or, lo there, for behold the kingdom of God is within you.'' 

'Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye 
continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed ; 

"And ve shall know the truth, and the truth shall make vou 
free." 

Or, in other words, the doctrine that Jesus taught was to be 



JIIIXD AND FAITH CUKE. 539 

taught to all believers. In the kindergarten schools Jesus to be 
the teacher and we to be the pupils. A course in Jesus' college will 
put us in condition to receive the kingdom of God within us. Then 
we will be prepared to go to the kingdom of God up in the celestial 
skies. What a blessed privilege to know that we can live in heaven 
here on earth. The man that has no heaven on earth will stand a 
slim show for a heaven up in the skies. Jesus differs from all 
other teachers. He teaches at His college heart instructions ; other 
colleges teach the ear, but He instructs the heart. They deal with 
the outward letter, but He imparts an inward taste for the truth. 
The most unlearned of men become ripe scholars in the school of 
grace when the Lord Jesus by His Holy Spirit unfolds the mys- 
teries of the kingdom to them and grants the divine anointing bv 
which they are enabled to behold the invisible. Jesns' college is the 
only one in which God's truth can be really learned. Other 
schools may teach us what is to be believed, but Christ alone can 
teach us how to believe it. 

The day is coming when I shall know as I am known, when I 
shall not want to ask whether I am His or not, for in His arms 
encircled, there shall be no room for doubt. 

Oh, Christian, you think there are slips between your lips and 
that cup of joy, but when you grasp the handle of that cup with 
your hand and are drinking draughts of ineffable delight, then 
you will have no doubt or fear. 

There you shall see His face, 

And never, never sin. 
There from the rivers of His grace 

Drink endless pleasures in. 

Here on earth the Christian has to suffer with bodily aching 
pains, aching head, and his limbs may be bruised or broken ; dis- 
ease may rack him with torture ; he may have many conflicts be- 
tween depravity and gross temptations from the evil one, from 
the world, the flesh and the Devil. Mortal mind, the Devil's agent, 
is the father of all our aches and pains and troubles of every kind 
and character. When we arrive in that celestial heaven in the 
skies our aches and pains and troubles of every kind will be gone. 
There will be no more aching head, no weary heart ; there no 
palsied arm, no brow ploughed with the furrows of old age. 
There the limb shall be recovered and old acre shall find itself 



540 DIVINE H E ALIX G. 

empowered with perpetual youth. There the infirmities of the 
flesh shall be left behind, given to the worm, and devoured by cor- 
ruption. There they shall flit, as on the wings of angels, from 
pole to pole. Without weariness or anguish they shall never need to 
lie upon the bed of rest, or the bed of suffering. There emperors 
and kings are not known, and those who had power to torture 
them, cease to be. They are in the society of saints. They shall 
be free from all the idle converse of the wicked, and from 
their cruel jeers set free forever. Set free from persecution. Ye 
army of martyrs, ye were slain ; ye were torn asunder ; ye were cast 
to wild beasts ; ye wandered about in sheepskins, and goatskins, 
destitute, afflicted and tormented. I see you now, a mighty host , 
the habiliments you wear are torn with thorns ; your faces are 
scarred with sufferings. I see you at your stakes, and on your 
cradles. I hear your words of submission on your racks. I see you 
in your prison. I behold you in your pillories, but, 

Now ye are arrayed in white. 

Brighter than the noonday sun. 
Fairest of the sons of light, 

Nearest the eternal throne. 

These are they who for their Master died, who love the cross and 
crown. They waded through seas of blood to obtain the inheritance, 
and there they are, with the blood-red crown of martyrdom about 
their heads, that ruby brightness far excelling every other. Yes, 
there is no persecution there. There remaineth a rest for the 
people of God. 

The holy calm, that sweet repose 
Which none but he who feels it knows. 
This heavenly calm within the breast 
Is the dear pledge of glorious rest 
AA'hich for the church of God remains, 
The end of cares, the end of pains. 

In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus 
Himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never under- 
stood before, will then be clearly seen ; and all that puzzles us now 
will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh, what unfold- 
ings there will be, and what glorifying of the God of love ! Light 



M IX D AX D FAITH CUBE. 541 

also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth 
not yet appear what we shall be. God's people are a hidden people ; 
but when Christ receives His people into heaven, He will touch 
them with the wand of His own love, and change them into the 
image of His manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, 
but what a transformation ! They were stained with sin, but 
one touch of His finger, and they are bright as the sun and clear 
as crystal. Oh, what a manifestation ! All this proceeds from the 
exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of efifulgent splendor, Jesus 
shall be the centre and and soul of it all. Oh, to be present and to 
see Him in His own light, the King of kings and Lord of lords ! 

Lo ! round the throne, a glorious band, 
The saints in countless myriads stand ; 
Of every tongue redeem'd to God, 
Array'd m garments wash'd in blood. 

Through tribulation great they came ; 
They bore the cross, despised the shame ; 
But now from all their labors rest. 
In God's eternal glory blest. 

They see the Savior face to face ; 
They sing the triumph of His grace ; 
And day and night, with ceaseless praise, 
To Him their loud hosannas raise. 

O, may we tread the sacred road 
That holy saints and martyrs trod ; 
Wage to the end the glorious strife, 
And win, like them, a crown of life. 

Yonder, in the better world, the inhabitants are independent of 
all creature comforts. They have no need of raiment ; their white 
robes never wear out, neither shall they ever be defiled. They need 
no medicine to heal diseases, "for the inhabitant shall not say, I am 
sick." They need no sleep to recruit their frames — they rest not 
day nor night, but unweariedly praise Him in His temple. They 
need no social relationship to minister comfort, and whatever hap- 
piness they may derive from association with their fellows, is not 
essential to their bliss, for their Lord's society is cnouHi for their 



542 " DIVINE HEALING. 

largest desires. They need no teachers there ; they doubtless com- 
mune with one another concerning the things of God, but they 
do not require this by way of instruction ; they shall all be taught 
of the Lord. Ours are the alms at the king's gate, but they feast 
at the table itself. Here we lean upon the friendly arm, but there 
they lean upon their Beloved, and upon Him alone. Here we must 
have the help of our companions, but there they find all they want 
in Christ Jesus. Here we look to the meat which perisheth, and 
to the raiment which decays before the moth, but there they find 
everything in God. We use the bucket to fetch us water from the 
well, but there they drink from the fountain head, and put their 
lips down to the living water. Here the angels bring us blessings, 
but we shall want no messengers from heaven then. They shall 
need no Gabriels there to bring their love-notes from God, for 
there they shall see Him face to face. Oh, what a blessed time 
shall that be, when we shall have mounted above every second 
cause, and shall rest upon the bare arm of God ! What a glorious 
hour when God, and not His creatures — the Lord, and not His 
works — shall be our daily joy ! Our souls shall then have attained 
the perfection of bliss. 

O, angel of my God, be near 
Amid the darkness, hush my fear. 
Loud roars the wild, tempestuous sea. 
Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me. 

As it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it 
entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared 
for them that love Him, but God hath revealed them unto us by 
His Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things 
of God. 1 Cor. 2 :9, 10. 

No human mind can conceive, no human voice or pen can 
depict, the beauties of the celestial kingdom. There are, however, 
passages in God's word, which open the pearly gates a little way, 
so that we catch a glimpse of the supernal grandeur of that city 
of celestial glory. We can, as it were, pluck a rose of Sharon, or 
a lily of the valley, and learn in miniature what the fragrance of 
the heavenly garden shall be, where every hillside and meadow- 
land is covered with perpetual glory. Through this crevice of 
that open gate we can, as it were, for a moment catch a sight of 
the redeemed, whose garments are as white as the driven snow, 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 543 

and whose joys are limited only by their own capacity to enjoy the 
happiness provided for them by their Almighty and All-loving 
Father. It is for such a glimpse of this heaven to which all true 
Christians are heading, that I would open my Bible today, and 
speak from the text, "As we have borne the image of the earthy, 
we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 

If there is one season in which the soul gets into closer com- 
munion with Christ than another, it is at the Lord's table. How 
often have we sung there: 

Can I Gethsamane forget, or there Thy conflicts see, 
Thine agony and bloody sweat, and not remember Thee ? 
Remember Thee and all Thy pains, and all Thy love for me, 
Yes, while a pulse or breath remains, I will remember Thee. 

And then, you see what an easy transition it is to heaven. 

And when these failing lips grow dumb, 

And thought and memory flee, 
When Thou shalt in Thy kingdom come, 

Jesus, remember me. 

Our bleeding Lord hath the key of heaven. He openeth and 
no man shuteth. Let us enter in with Him into the heavenly 
places, and sit with Him there till our common enemies shall be 
made His footstool. 

Jesus, I will praise Thee every day, 
Now, Thine anger turned away, 
Comfortable thoughts arise, 
From the bleeding sacrifice. 

Jesus is become at length 
My salvation and my strength, 
And His praises shall prolong. 
While I live, my pleasant song. 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though 
your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though 
they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool, for God so loved 



544 DiTiy E H EALiy a . 

the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever 
believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Still on the Lord my burden roll, 
Nor let a care remain, 
His mighty arms shall bear my soul, 
And all my grief sustain. 

Ne'er will the Lord His aid deny, 
To those who trust His love. 
And they who on His grace rely 
Shall sing His praise above. 

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered the 
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that 
love Him, but God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit, in 
some measure, and He will do so more and more by-and-by. 

My sins and sorrows, strifes and fears, 

I bid them all farewell, 
High up amid the eternal years, 

With Christ my Lord to dwell. 

A mansion there not made with hands, 

A place prepared for me. 
And while God lives and angels sing 

That home my home shall be. 

Heaven, then, what is it? It is not a heaven of the senses. 
Eye hath not seen it. What glorious things the eye hath seen. We 
have seen the procession of kings and princes ; our eyes have been 
feasted with the display of glittering uniform of lavish gold and 
jewels, of chariots and horses, and we have no doubt that the 
procession of the saints of God may be divinely shadowed thereby. 
By night w^e have seen the stars, those golden fleeced sheep of 
God, feeding on the blue meadow of the sky, and we have said, 
See, those are the nails in the floor of heaven up yonder, and if this 
earth has such glorious covering, what must that of the kingdom 
be? And when our eye has wandered from star to star, we have 
thought, Now I can tell what heaven is by the beauty of its floor, 
but it is all a mistake. All that we can see can never help us to 
understand heaven. Eve hath not seen, and the ear hath not 



M I N D A y D FAITH CURE. 545 

heard it. We have sometimes heard the sweet voice of a mes- 
senger of God, when He has by the Spirit spoken to our soul. We 
knew something of heaven then, we thought. At other times 
we have been entranced with the voice of the preacher, and with 
the remarkable sayings which he has uttered. We have been 
charmed by his eloquence ; some of us have known what it is to 
sit and weep and smile alternately, under the power of some mighty 
man, who played with us as skillfully as David could have played 
on his harp, and we have said we know something of what heaven 
is, for our mind is carried away ; but, ah, we made a mistake. Ear 
hath not heard it. The apostle John was privileged to look 
within the gates of heaven, and in describing what he saw, he be- 
gins by saying, ''I looked, and lo, a lamb ;" this teaches us that 
the chief object of contemplation in the heavenly state is the 
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. Nothing 
else attracted the apostle's attention so much as the person of the 
Divine Being who hath redeemed us by His blood. He is the 
theme of the songs of all glorified spirits and holy angels. 

Here is joy for the Christian, through their tears their eyes 
have seen the Lamb of God taking away their sins. 'T looked, and 
lo, a Lamb." Why, that Lamb is heaven itself. Heaven and 
Christ are the same thing. To be with Christ is to be in heaven, 
and to be in heaven is to be with Christ. 

Not all the harps above 

Can make a heavenly place. 
If God His residence remove 

Or but conceal His face. 

All we need to make us blessed, supremely blessed, is to be 
with Christ. The conditions of glorified spirits in heaven is thai 
of the nearness to Christ. Clear vision of His glory, constant ac- 
cess to His court, and familiar fellowship with His person. Nor is 
there any difference in this respect between one thing and another, 
but all the people of God, apostles, martyrs, ministers, or private 
and obscure Christians, shall all be seated near the throne, where 
they shall forever gaze upon their exalted Lord, and be satisfied 
with His love. They shall all be near to Christ. All ravished with 
His love. All eating and drinking at the same table with Him. 
All equally beloved as His favorites and friends, even if not all 
equally rewarded as servants. 



546 DIYIXE HEALING. 

When I stand before the throne, 
Dressed in beauty not my own, 
When I see Thee as Thou art, 
Love Thee with unsinning heart, 
Then, Lord, shall I fully know, 
Not till then, how much I owe. 

Christians on earth should imitate the spirits from heaven, in 
their nearness to Christ. Let us on earth be as the elders are in 
heaven, sitting around the throne. May Christ be the object of 
our thoughts ; the center of our lives. How can we endure to 
live at such a distance from our Beloved? Lord Jesus, draw us 
nearer to Thyself. Say unto us, "Abide in Me, and I in you," and 
permit us to sing : 

Oh, lift me higher, nearer Thee, 

And as I rise more pure and meet, 

Oh, let my soul's humility 

Make me lie lower at Thy feet, 

Less trusting self, the more I prove. 

The blessed comfort of Thy love. 

Christ drieth our tears by His revelation of forgiveness, and 
His limitless forgiveness. The bitterest tears of reproach and 
remorse are dried away. Christ gives us tearless eyes by His 
revelation of our share in His own destiny. "Father, I will that 
they also whom Thou hast given J\Ie be with Me where I am, 
that they may behold My glory which Thou hast given Me." 
Nothing can disappoint that will. The destiny of Christ is the 
destiny of every one who trusts Him. 

Then let our songs abound, 

And every tear be dry, 
We're marching through Immanuel's ground. 

To fairer worlds on high. 

In due time there shall be heard a great voice in heaven, to 
every believer saying, "Come up hither." This should be to the 
saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the 
time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father, we 
should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our song 
should be : 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 547 

My heart is with Him on His throne, 

And ill can brook delay, 
Each moment listening for the voice, 

Rise up, and come away. 

We are not called down to the grave, but up to the sky. Our 
heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Our God 
knows best when to bid us come up hither. We must not wish 
to antedate the period of our departure. I know that strong love 
will make us cry : 

Oh, Lord of Hosts, the waves divide. 
And land us all in heaven. 

But patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with 
accurate wisdom a most fitting time for the redeemed to abide 
below. Surely, if there could be regrets, the saints might mourn 
that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more 
sheaves for my Lord's garner, and more jewels for His crown. 

My God, I am Thine, what a comfort divine, 
What a blessing to know that the Savior is mine, 
In the heavenly land, thrice happy I am. 
And my heart it doth dance at the sound of His name. 

Living near the cross of Calvary, we may think of death with 
pleasure and welcome it when it comes with intense delight. It is 
sweet to die in the Lord. It is a covenant blessing to sleep in 
Jesus. Death is no longer banishment. It is a return from exile, 
a going-home to the many mansions where the loved ones already 
dwell. How long shall the soul be tossed upon the waves before it 
comes to that sea which knows no storm. Listen to the answer, 
absent from the body, present with the Lord. Yon ship has just 
departed, but it is already at its haven ; it did but spread its sail and 
it was there ; like the ship of old, upon the lake of Galilee, a storm 
had tossed it, but Jesus said, "Peace, be still," and immediately it 
came to land. When the eyes close in death, they open in heaven. 
The chariot and horses of fire are but an instant on the road. 
Then, oh child of God, what is there for thee to fear in death, 
seeing that through the death of thy Lord, its curse and sting are 
destroyed, and now it is but a Jacob's ladder, whose foot is in the 



548 DIVINE HEALING. 

dark grave, but its top reaches to glory everlasting. When I get 
there I will sing : 

There shall I bathe my weary soul 

In seas of heavenly rest, 
And not a wave of trouble roll 

Across my peaceful breast. 

Heaven is a state of acceptance. We can know and feel that 
acceptance, and rejoice in it. When we look forward to our ex- 
perience in heaven, we sing: 

Then shall I see and hear and know. 
All I desire or wish below. 
And every power finds sweet employ, 
In that eternal world of joy. 

We are now looking at Him darkly, through a glass, but there 
we shall see Him face to face. Christ looks down on the Bible, 
and the Bible is His looking-glass. We look into it, and see the 
face of Christ, as in a mirror darkly, but soon we shall look upon 
Him face to face. Have we not had visions of Calvary? Have 
we not wept both for joy and for grief, when we beheld our Savior 
nailed to the tree for our sake, and saw Him bleeding out His life 
for us ? 

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, 

Which before the cross I spend. 
Life and health, and peace possessing, 
From the sinner's dying Friend. 
Here I'll sit forever viewing, 

Mercy's streams in drops of blood, 
Precious drops my soul bedewing, 

Plead and claim my place with God. 

Every true believer in Jesus can sing : 

My name from the palms of His hands. 

Eternity will not erase, 
Impressed on His heart it remains, 

In marks of indelible grace. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 549 

Yes, I to the end shall endure, 

As sure as the earnest is given ; 
More happy, but not more secure. 

The glorified spirits in Heaven. 

In my flesh shall I see God, Job. 19 :2Q. Mark the subject of 
Job's devout anticipation. I shall see God. He does not say, I 
shall see the saints, but I shall see God. It is not, I shall see the 
pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon 
the crowns of gold, but, I shall see God. This is the sum and 
substance of heaven : is the joyful hope of all the labor. 
They love to behold Him in communion and in prayer, but there in 
heaven they shall have an open and unclouded vision, and thus see- 
ing Him as He is, shall be made completely like Him. Likeness to 
God ! What can we wish for more ? And a sight of God ! What 
can we desire better? The patriarch looks forward to this sight 
of God as a personal enjoyment. Whom mine eyes shall behold 
and not another. Take realizing views of heaven's bliss ; think 
what it will be to us ; our eyes shall see the King in His beauty. 
All earthly brightness fades and darkens as we gaze upon it. 
But there is a brightness which can never dim, a glory which can 
never fade. I shall see God. 

To dwell with Christ, to feel His love. 
Is the full heaven enjoyed above. 
And the sweet expectation now 
Is the young dawn of heaven below. 

It is not merely what comes out of being with Him, His com- 
pany itself is heaven. Even to have seen Jesus in His flesh was 
a privilege. 

I think when I read that sweet story of old. 
When Jesus was here among men, 

How He took little children like lambs to His fold, 
I should like to have been with Him then. 

I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, 
That His arms had been thrown around me. 

And I might have seen His kind look when He said. 
Let the little ones come unto Me. 



550 DIVINE HEALING. 

The heavenly city is described as having an abundance of all 
manner of delights. The very streets are paved with gold, ex- 
ceeding clear and fine. The gates are pearls and the walls are 
built of precious stones. No palace of the Caesars could rival 
the glorious riches of the city of the Great King. 

That city with the jeweled crest, 

Like some new lighted sun, 
A blaze of burning Amethyst, 

Ten thousand orbs in one. 

Oh, blessed place, where we shall not need to enter into our 
closets to worship our Father, who is in heaven, but shall in the 
open street behold the unveiled vision of God. Oh, blessed time, 
when there shall not be Sabbaths, but one endless Sabbath. Do 
we trust our Savior ? Are we believing Him ? His cry from the 
cross is, "Look unto Me, and be saved." Have we so looked? 

My soul looked back to see. 

The burdens Thou didst bear, 
When hanging on the cursed tree, 

And hopes her guilt was there. 

Our Lord Jesus stands in front of the throne interceding for 
us. Opening the way for us to approach to God, even the Father. 

This is the Man, the exalted Man, 
Whom we, unseen, adore, 
But when our eyes behold His face, 
Our hearts shall love Him more. 

The throne of God and of the Lamb is in heaven. Behold the 
throne in heaven. We must pass beyond this earthly region, and 
join the company of those who people the celestial realm before 
we can see the throne of God so as to obtain a complete view of 
it. Is not this among the chief joys in Heaven? 

Ld part with all the joys of sense, 

To gaze upon Thy throne, 
Pleasures spring fresh forever thence, 

Unspenkable, unknown. 

The throne of God and the Lamb will be the center of our 
dehghts. To have reached home in the heavenly Father's house. 



MIND AND FAITH CUBE. 551 

to have seen our Elder Brother, and to be sure that we shall abide 
with Him and go no more out. Oh, that is what we pant for. 
We long- to hear His voice welcoming us to our new abode. 

Come in, thou blessed, sit by me, 
With My life I ransomed thee, 

Come, taste My perfect favor, 
Come in, thou happy spirit, come. 
Thou now shalt dwell with me at home. 
Ye blissful mansions make him room, 

For he must stay forever. 

Our song will be to Him who loves us, and yet we shall want 
to tell out to others our love to Him. We cannot wash His feet 
with our tears, because He will wipe all our tears away. We 
cannot honor him with our substance there as we can here, for 
there will be no widows and orphans, whom we can relieve, no 
poor and needy ones, whom we can feed and clothe and visit, do- 
ing to His disciples as we would do unto Him, but oh, to fall be- 
fore Him, and then gaze upon Him. He looks like a Lamb that 
has been slain, and wears His priesthood still. Oh, for a sight 
of Him. But, oh, if we could only see Christ, even on earth for 
a minute, we would be content to die and go home with Him, 
nor ask leave first to go and bid them farewell which are at our 
house. "Let not your hearts be troubled ; ye believe in God, believe 
also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions. If it 
were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for 
you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, 
and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be 
also, and whither I go, ye know, and the way ye know." — John 
14:1-4. "If ye love Me, ye would rejoice, because I said I go 
unto the Father." Imagination fails to picture the glory of our 
Lord's return. I think the psalmist gives us liberty to believe that, 
when our Lord ascended, the bright ones of the sky came to meet 
Him, and cried, "Lift up your heads, oh, ye gates, and be ye 
lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in." 
May we not believe of bright seraphs and ministering angels that 

They brought His chariot from on high, 

To bear Him to His throne, 
Clapped their triumphant wings and cried, 

"The glorious work is done." 



552 DITISEEEALI S G . 

He was seen of angels, they beheld that joyous re-entry. The 
opening of the eternal doors to the King of Glory and the triumph 
through the celestial streets of Him who led captivity captive, and 
scattered gifts among men. Oh, joy, unutterable, unutterable joy, 
can we not now once for all dismiss every fear in the prospect of 
the endless bliss reserved for us. 

See that glory, how resplendent. 

Brighter far than fancy points. 
There, in the majesty transcendent, 

Jesus reigns, the King of Saints. 
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly 

Straight to yonder world of joy. 

Joyful crowds His throne surrounding, 

Sing w^ith rapture of His love, 
Through the heavens His praises sounding, 

Filling all the courts above. 
Spread thy wings, my soul, and fly 

Straight to yonder world of joy. 

I want to hear some of the Bible passages read in heaven, after 
we have gathered up our dead children, I want to hear these 
passages read, and want to point them out, the passages that 
comforted us on the day of interment. When we meet our friends 
in heaven, we will want to talk over the trials of this life, and say, 
those were the promises that cheered us. I want to hear David with 
his own voice read "the Lord is my Shepherd." I want in heaven to 
hear Paul read, "Thanks be unto God who giveth the victory to 
our Lord Jesus Christ." I want to hear the archangels play 
Paul's grand march of the resurrection with the same trumpet, 
with which he woke the dead. Oh, blessed Book, good enougli 
for earth, good enough for heaven. When I have no griefs to be 
solaced, when I have no sins to be pardoned, when I have no hope 
of heaven to be enkindled, that will be the day and the hour, and 
that the minute I will give up the Bible. Book of life, book of 
comfort, book of God. Book bespattered with the blood of the 
martyr, who died in its defense. Book sprinkled with the tears of 
a Christian ministry, who were comforted by its promises. Dear 
old Book. 



MIND AND FAITH CURE. 553 

How precious is the Book divine, 

By inspiration given, 
Bright as a Lamb, its doctrines shine. 

To guide our souls to heaven. 

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts. 

In this dark veil of tears, 
And life, and light and joy imparts, 

And banishes our fears. 

This lamp through all the tedious night 

Of life shall guide our way. 
Till we behold the clearer light 

Of an eternal day. 



THE LORD CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE. 

On earth the Lord's power as readily controls the rage of the 
wicked as the rage of the sea ; His love as easily refreshes the poor 
with mercy as the earth with showers. Majesty gleams in flashes 
of fire amid the tempest's horrors, and the glory of the Lord is 
seen in its grandeur in the fall of empires, and the crash of 
thrones. In all our conflicts and tribulations, we may behold the 
hand of the divine King. 

God is God : He sees and hears 
All our troubles, all our tears. 
Soul, forget not, 'mid thy pains, 
God o'er all forever reigns. 

In hell, evil spirits own, with misery, His undoubted suprem- 
acy. When permitted to roam abroad, it is with a chain at their 
heel ; the bit is in the mouth of behemoth, and the hook in the 
jaws of leviathan. Death's darts are under the Lord's lock, and 
the grave's prisons have divine power as their warder. The ter- 
rible vengeance of the Judge of all the earth makes fiends cower 
down and tremble, even as dogs in the kennel fear the hunter's 
whip. 

Fear not death, nor Satan's thrusts, 
God defends who in Him trusts ; 
Soul, remember, in thy pains, 
God o'er all forever reigns. 



554 DIVINE HEALING. 

In heaven, none doubt the sovereignty of the King Eternal, 
but all fall on their faces to do Him homage. Angels are His 
courtiers, the redeemed His favorites, and all delight to serve 
Him day and night. May we soon reach the city of the great 
King. 

For this life's long night of sadness 
He will give us peace and gladness. 
Soul, remember, in thy pains, 
God o'er all forever reigns. 



LET GOD BE TRUE. 

"Let God be true, and every man a liar." Shall not He be 
true? Shall He not keep His word? Shall not every word that 
cometh out of His lips stand fast and be fulfilled? Solomon, at 
the opening of the temple, used this same mighty plea. He 
pleaded with God to remember the word which He had spoken 
to his father David, and to bless that place. When a man gives 
a promissory note, his honor is engaged ; he signs his hand, and 
he must discharge it when the due time comes, or else he loses 
credit. It shall never be said that God dishonors His bills. The 
credit of the Most High never was impeached, and never shall 
be. He is punctual to the moment : He never is before His time, 
but He never is behind it. Search God's word through, and 
compare it with the experience of God's people, and you shall 
find the two tally from the first to the last. Many a hoary patri- 
arch has said with Joshua, "Not one thing hath failed of all the 
good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you ; all 
are come to pass." If you have a divine promise, you need not 
plead it with an "if," you may urge it with certainty. The Lord 
meant to fulfill the promise, or He would not have given it. God 
does not give His words merely to quiet us, and to keep us hope- 
ful for a while, with the intention of putting us off at last ; but 
when He speaks, it is because He means to do as He has said. 




SAINT JOHN'S REVELATIONS. 



MIND AN D FAITH CURE. 557 

AND I LOOKED, AND, LO, A LAMB STOOD ON THE 
MOUNT ZION. 

(rev. l-i:l.) 

The apostle John was privileged to look within the gates of 
heaven, and in describing what he saw, he begins by saying, "I 
looked, and lo, a Lamb !" This teaches us that the chief object of 
contemplation in the heavenly state is ''the Lamb of God, which 
taketh away the sins of the world." Nothing else attracted the 
apostle's attention so much as the person of that Divine Being, 
who hath redeemed us by His blood. He is the theme of the songs 
of all glorified spirits and holy angels. Christian, here is joy for 
thee; thou hast looked, and thou hast seen the Lamb. Through 
thy tears thine eyes have seen the Lamb of God taking away thy 
sins. Rejoice, then. In a little while, when thine eyes shall hav^e 
been wiped from tears, thou wilt see the same Lamb exalted on 
His throne. It is the joy of thy heart to hold daily fellowship with 
Jesus ; thou shalt have the same joy to a higher degree in heaven ; 
thou shalt enjoy the constant vision of His presence ; thou shalt 
dwell with Him forever. 'T looked, and, lo, a Lamb !" Why, 
that Lamb is heaven itself. "Heaven and Christ are the same 
thing ;" to be with Christ is to be in heaven, and to be in heaven is 
to be with Christ. That prisoner of the Lord very sweetly writes 
in one of his glowing letters — ''O my Lord Christ, if I could be in 
heaven without thee it would be a hell; and if I could be in hell, 
and have Thee still, it would be a heaven to me, for Thou art all 
the heaven I want." 

Not all the harps above 

Can make a heavenly place, 
If God His residence remove, 

Or but conceal His face. 

The condition of glorified spirits in heaven is that of nearness 
to Christ, clear vision of His glory, constant access to His court, 
and familiar fellowship with His person : nor is there any differ- 
ence in this respect between one saint and another, but all the 
people of God, apostles, martyrs, ministers, or private and ob- 
scure Christians, shall all be seated near the throne, where they 
shall forever gaze upon their exalted Lord, and be satisfied with 



558 DITiyE E EALIX G. 

His love. They shall all be near to Christ, all ravished with His 
love, all eating and drinking at the same table with Him, all 
equally beloved as His favorites and friends, even if not all equally 
rewarded as servants. 

Let believers on earth imitate the saints in heaven in their near- 
ness to Christ. Let us on earth be as the elders are in heaven, 
sitting around the throne. ]\Iay Christ be the object of our 
thoughts, the center of our lives. How can we endure to live at 
such a distance from our Beloved ? Lord Jesus, draw us nearer to 
Thyself ! Say unto us, "Abide in Me, and I in you ;" and permit 
us to sing, "His left hand is under my head, and His right hand 
doth embrace me." 

Oh, lift me higher, nearer Thee, 

And as I rise more pure and meet, 

Oh, let my soul's humility 

Make me lie low^er at Thy feet ; 

Less trusting self, the more I prove 

The blessed comfort of Thv love. 



AMEN. 



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